Kafir-kala (Uzbekistan)

For the archaeological site in Tajikistan, see Kafir-kala (Tajikistan).
Kafir-kala
Ruins of Kafir-kala.[1]
Kafir-kala is located in West and Central Asia
Kafir-kala
Kafir-kala
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Location of Kafir-kala
Kafir-kala is located in Uzbekistan
Kafir-kala
Kafir-kala
Kafir-kala (Uzbekistan)
Kafir-kala is located in Bactria
Kafir-kala
Kafir-kala
Kafir-kala (Bactria)

39°34′19″N 67°01′17″E / 39.572013°N 67.021506°E / 39.572013; 67.021506 Kafir-kala ("Fortress of the infidels") is an ancient fortress 12 kilometers south of the city center of Samarkand in Uzbekistan, protecting the southern border of the Samarkand oasis.[2] It consists in a central citadel built in mud-bricks and measuring 75 × 75 meters at its base has six towers and is surrounded by a moat, still visible today.[2] Living quarters were located outside the citadel.[2]

  1. ^ "Antiquities of Samarkand. Kurgan in the Vicinity of Samarkand. Location of Kafir Kala". www.wdl.org. 1868.
  2. ^ a b c Mantellini, Simone (2012). "Change and Continuity in the Samarkand Oasis: Evidence for the Islamic Conquest from the Citadel of Kafir Kala". Journal of Inner Asian Art and Archaeology. 7: 227–253. doi:10.1484/J.JIAAA.4.2017012. hdl:11585/572547.