Tour to the historical monuments of the Aral Sea – Ancient monuments at the bottom of the Aral Sea –
Kerderi are the remains of a dwelling found on the dried-up seabed of the Kazakh territorial waters of the Aral Sea. The settlement of Kerderi was inhabited before and after the 14th century, which means that the Aral Sea was as dry as it is now. It is unclear when Kerderi was abandoned, but radiocarbon dating of the artifacts found showed that it was in the early 16th century.
How to get there
The Kerderi settlement is located in the Kyzylorda region, 56 kilometers from the village of Karateren on the former bottom of the Aral Sea, Aral district, Kazakhstan. GPS coordinates: N45°43'25.66" E60°15'42.93"
History, information
Historical evidence suggests that the Aral Sea began to rise slowly from 1570, when the current of the Amu Darya River turned towards the Aral Sea. Thus, when the Aral Sea rose, Kerderi was completely submerged in water to a depth of 19 meters. In the 1960s, when the course of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers was changed, the level of the Aral Sea dropped, and the location of Kerderi was again accessible, and was rediscovered and explored in 2001. Since then, the place has served as an important evidence of historical changes in the depth of the Aral Sea.
Kerderi is the collective name of three different ruins named Kerderi No. 1, Kerderi No. 2 and the ruins of Aral Assar. 2 destroyed mausoleums were also found. Residents of Kerderi No. 1 were able to get fresh water through the Syr Darya River, which bends nearby. Archaeological evidence shows that the inhabitants grew rice and wheat, as well as raised livestock. Aral Asar drew attention to the advantages of trade as a stop on the Great Silk Road.
Kerderi mausoleum at the bottom of the Aral Sea
Photogallery:
