MUGHANA SITES IN THE KОK-TASH AREA OF ALA-BUKA DISTRICT: A HISTORICAL–ARCHAEOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND ORAL HISTORY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63666/ejsmr.1694-9013.4.I.2026.87Keywords:
Mughana, Ala-Buka District, oral history, Kara Khitai, funerary monuments, stone constructionsAbstract
Stone structures of the “mugkhana” type that are widely distributed in the Kоk-Tash area of Ala-Buka District, Jalal-Abad Region, constitute a distinctive layer of the local tangible cultural heritage. Based on field observations, this article characterizes the distribution area of these mugkhanas, their architectural and construction features, compositional planning, and current state of preservation. In addition, using the oral history method, the study systematizes local residents’ recollections, terminological explanations, and folk interpretations concerning the functions of these structures. A comparative analysis of archaeological indicators and ethnographic data makes it possible to substantiate the chronology of the mugkhanas and their potential association with burial practices, road checkpoints, or functions of sacral marking. The findings provide an evidence-based scholarly rationale for strengthening the inventorying, documentation, and protection of heritage sites in the region.
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