THOUGHTS ON THE KUSHAN DEFENSIVE STRUCTURES OF NORTHERN BACTRIA (THE EXAMPLE OF TOWERS)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52754/16948610_2025_2_6Keywords:
defensive structures, fortification, Kushans, defensive wall, loophole, tower, corridor, shahristan, citadelAbstract
This article presents some considerations about towers (burjs), which were an important element of the urban protection system and fortresses in Northern Bactria during the Kushan period. In this context, the defense structures at the Dalvarzintepa and Zartepa sites in Northern Bactria, as well as at the Dilberjin located in Southern Bactria, are analyzed. Defense structures became an integral part of the city and ensured the security of governance. Almost all urban sites with preserved cultural layers from the Kushan period were surrounded by walls and moats. Even the defense of small villages or fortresses was given special attention, and in some cases, their defense structures were comparable to those of the cities.
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