Aksay on the Syr Darya: Local History and Archaeological Settlements

When looking for a hotel in Aksay, you can first consider the location in relation to its historical landmarks. These include its position on the bank of the Syr Darya, two archaeological settlements in the surrounding area, and the history of the Bukharbay Batyr Museum.

Location on the Syr Darya

The village of Bukharbay Batyr, formerly known as Aksay, lies 13 kilometres south of Zhalagash on the left bank of the Syr Darya. Bukharbay Batyr is connected to other settlements by a district-level road. These two geographical connections complement each other: its position on the river anchors the village there, while the road connects it to other settlements.

Two archaeological settlements

Two archaeological settlements lie nearby and can be distinguished by their dating and direction. Sorlyasar is located three kilometres southeast of the village of Bukharbay Batyr and dates from the 6th to the 9th century. Kara-asar, also known as Unnamed Asar, lies three kilometres northwest of the same village; this settlement also dates from the 6th to the 9th century. The stated distance from Bukharbay Batyr is three kilometres for each, but they lie in opposite directions. This comparison helps distinguish the two sites and associate each name with its own location.

Museum and local history

The Bukharbay Batyr Museum adds the more recent history of the village to the archaeological perspective. It opened in 1994 on a community basis, and the museum building was newly constructed in 2012. The dates refer to different stages: the museum’s opening and the construction of a new building. The museum operates as a branch of the district museum of history and local studies. Its exhibition comprises six components. Thus, the institutional affiliation, the building’s development, and the exhibition’s structure are presented as distinct aspects.

The settlement’s history also reaches back to a different period: from 1930, the village developed as the Kalinin collective farm. This development came much later than the archaeological settlements’ dating and adds another historical layer to the early history of the surrounding area.

Qysylorda in a wider context

Within the broader travel destination of Qysylorda, the Barsakelmes State Nature Reserve is one of the region’s landscape and protected-area highlights. It was established on 10 December 1939 on Barsakelmes Island, which was then located almost in the central part of the Aral Sea. Since 29 July 2020, the 2,300-hectare “Delta” section at the mouth of the Syr Darya, where it flows into the Small Aral Sea, has been part of the reserve. The Barsakelmes Biosphere Reserve was included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016.

The ancient settlement of Zhankent, also known as Yangikent, is another site in the Qysylorda travel destination. It holds official status as a cultural heritage site of national significance and was one of the capitals of the Oghuz State in the 9th to 11th centuries. In the lower reaches of the Syr Darya, Zhankent was an important administrative and trading centre.

For the broader travel overview: Zhalagash District.