Ancient city of Aktobe

 fortification, UNESCO World Heritage Site, city wall, ancient ruins

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The site of Aktobe Stepninskoe is situated in the Shuskii region of Zhambyl Province, 3km south-east of the village of Aktobe on both sides of the River Aksu, the ancient settlement of Balasagun comprises two shakhristans (1 and 2), a citadel and city outskirts. Shakhristan 1 is rectangular in form (380 x 250m) and 6-7m tall. The citadel is situated in the central area, is square in shape with sides of 100m, and 10m tall. Shakhristan 2 is sized 300 x 250m and is 3-6m tall. The city’s outskirts are surrounded by long embankments: the first embankment is 17km in length and the second is 25km. Four semicircular embankments are attached to the second embankment on the east and west sides.

According to some scholars, the settlement can be identified as the medieval settlement of Balasagun.