Kumkent

Kumkent

 

the site of an ancient fortified town in Suzakskii Raion, Chimkent Oblast, Kazakh SSR; the ruins of a medieval city mentioned by G. Rubruquis in 1253 under the name Kin-kent. The city was located on the caravan routes from ancient Talas (modern Dzhambul) to central Kazakhstan. The ruins have the configuration of an irregular rectangle measuring about 450 m long. The remains of the gates are located on the narrow side. The numerous remains of the material culture (pottery, grain mortars, artistic objects, coins) characterize the life of a feudal city, an artisan and trade center, in the 10th-14th centuries. The city was apparently abandoned in the 15th century as a result of feudal internecine wars.

REFERENCE

Margulan, A., T. Basenov, and M. Mendikulov. Arkhitektura Kazakhstana. Alma-Ata, 1959.