Khorezm archaeological and ethnographic expedition: contribution to the study of the history and culture of ancient Khorezm

The presented article is devoted to the study and systematization of the significant contribution of the Khorezm archaeological and ethnographic expedition to the study of the history and culture of ancient Khorezm in order to better understand the complex socio-economic and political processes, held in Central Asia between the VI century BC and VI century AD. The research reveals the uniqueness and layering of the technique, applied by scientists who became the founders of a new approach to the study of the historical and cultural heritage of the region and the reconstruction of the cultural and historical picture of ancient Khorezm. The development of new approaches and methods for comprehensive research and the integration of local regional data into the broad historical context of the Central Asian range made it possible to form a scientifically based concept of the socio-cultural evolution of the region. The article applies an integrated approach to the study of the contribution of the Khorezm archaeological and ethnographic expedition, which makes it possible to objectively assess its achievements and significance for science. The basis of the study is archival documents, reports and publications of the expedition members, which contain direct observations, conclusions and assessments of specialists. The results of the work of the Khorezm archaeological and ethnographic expedition significantly expanded the boundaries of knowledge of the historical dynamics of the region, providing a fundamental rethinking of previously existing scientific ideas. Its participants introduced innovative methods such as aerial photography and an interdisciplinary approach, which opened a new page in the study of the ancient history of Khorezm. An exhaustive typological classification of archaeological sites of Khorezm was created, which allows differentiating monuments by regional features and functional characteristics. The features of housing architecture, engineering and technical structures of water distribution infrastructure and household organization of life of the population of ancient Khorezm were studied in detail. The existence of intensive interaction between settled agricultural communities and nomadic tribes, manifested through the mechanisms of cultural exchange and interpenetration of economic patterns and traditions of everyday life, is justified. Evidence of the existence of stable tribal associations in the Khorezm society between the 6th century BC and the 6th century AD has been obtained. A new integral research methodology has been developed, which provides for the integrated use of diverse sources and modern technical solutions.