Chilpyk

The age of this Zoroastrian ancient monument - dakhma

Chilpyk ( shilpyk,chilpak  kala ) is more than 2200 years.

Chilpyk is a round roofless tower,15 meters high and 65 meters

in diameter,built at the top of the rounded natural hill, 43km

away from Nukus. Originally the tower had a 20-meter stair

with steps  cut right in the hill.From the base of the tower there

was a passage leading to the river. Around the tower and inside

it there were found ossuaries of clay and stone,some of them

are displayed today in the museums of Nukus and Tashkent.

With the advent of the Arabs to these lands (the 7 century )

the tower was rebuilt for the first time, then during the heyday

of ancient khorezm (the 9-10) centuries again.Some researchers

believe that the khorezmians used chilpyk as a signal and

defense tower along with other fortresses of thekhorezm

shakh state.Chilpyk is one of the bright landmarks of Karakalpakstan-it is

even depicted on the coat of arms of the Republic.