Chorasmia in the Achaemenid Period: from Satrapy to Independence of the Empire

Systematic excavations and surveys began since 1930s, when the Chorasmian Archaeological Expedition founded by S. P. Tolstov, have shed some new lights on the Achaemenid presence in Chorasmia. Kiuzeli-gir and Kalali-gir 1 are, among others, the most important sites of this period in Chorasmia. Palace discovered at Kiuzeli-gir was contained a columned hall, an architectural element introduced in the Achaemenid period in Central Asia. Similar architecture plus the Achaemenid capitals and rhytons were recovered at Kalali-gir. The first site has been interpreted as the first Achaemenid center in Chorasmia in the late 6 century BC, whereas the second might has been the seat of this satrapy during 5 century BC. More excavations, began after collapsing the S.S.R, have been revealed further Archaeological sites containing the Achaemenid material culture such as Tashkirman and Kazali-Yatkan. The first site, bearing the Achaemenid stone bases column, is assumed to be a religious center, while the second was located among the ancient irrigation canals constructed in the Achaemenid period. There are some evidence to show that the all abovementioned sites abandoned in the early 4 century BC, a sign which has led some scholars to conclusion that Chorasmia became an independent state from that date onwards.