Traces of Musical Art in The History of Ancient Era Khorazm Oasis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17605/cajssh.v6i3.1192Keywords:
Khorezm Oasis, South Akchadarya, Kyzylkum, Karakum, Mount Sultan Uvais, YonbashkalaAbstract
The Khorezm oasis, a historically rich region of Central Asia, has long been a cradle of cultural and artistic expression, with deep roots in musical traditions. While much attention has been given to the archaeological and historical development of the region, the origins and evolution of musical art within the ancient Khorezm oasis remain underexplored in scholarly discourse. There is a limited understanding of how natural and anthropogenic landscapes influenced the emergence and refinement of musical traditions in this region from prehistoric times through the classical era. This study investigates the earliest traces of musical knowledge in the Khorezm oasis, focusing on how geographical, ecological, and cultural conditions contributed to the spiritual and artistic development of its ancient inhabitants. The findings reveal that favorable ecological conditions in the Akchadarya basin, along with the rich biodiversity and acoustic environment, laid the foundation for primitive musical expressions, which were later formalized and refined during the Eneolithic, Bronze, and Iron Ages. By the 4th century BC, musical artistry reached a classical form, as evidenced by the performances of harp and ud players in the Tupraqqala palace and the development of the Quyqrılganqala musical school. The research presents an interdisciplinary perspective linking geography, archaeology, and ethnomusicology to trace the historical continuum of musical expression in ancient Khorezm. These insights enrich our understanding of Central Asian cultural history and underscore the importance of integrating musicological analysis into broader studies of ancient civilizations.
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