FROM THE HISTORY OF ESTUARY AND IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE IN THE LOWER REACHES OF THE SYR DARYA

Abstract

The study analyzes the historical stages of the formation of estuary and irrigated agriculture in the lower reaches of the Syrdarya River from ancient times to the modern period. Special attention is paid to the role of the ancient Turkic and Kazakh tribes - the Saka, Usun, Kangyu, Oguz and Kipchak unions - in the formation of the irrigation culture of the region. On the basis of archaeological, scientific, historical and ethnographic sources, the author analyzes the emergence of agrotechnical techniques and terminology (aryk, boget, togan, zhyra, kak, suaru, sulandyru), reflecting the high level of water management organization. Historical and archaeological studies show that even in the Bronze Age and Early Iron Age, the population of the Syr Darya Valley actively used estuary agriculture and primitive irrigation systems adapted to the natural conditions of the region. Irrigation agriculture has become a key factor in the socio-economic and cultural development of the population of the lower reaches of the SyrDarya.