Recently, there were reports in social networks about construction work being done by hired workers at the cultural site of Tuprokkala, located in Karakalpakstan. Kun.uz correspondent had an interview with the Deputy Minister of Culture Kamola Okilova on the matter.

“Construction works in Tuprokkala have just begun. As soon as the news came out yesterday, all works over the area were stopped immediately.

In many cases, the lack of a holistic system in working with cultural objects is causing failure. We are trying to discuss each object at the scientific-methodological council. However, the local inspectorate has been more arbitrary. We're trying to figure out to identify the person who gave instruction to do so. This individual will, of course, respond accordingly. Employees are not willing to understand, and now we have to take strict measures,” the Deputy Minister said.

According to Ms. Okilova, conservation of the world-famous town like Tuprokkala is a very important issue, and the ministry understands well its importance.

“Organizations engaged in restoration and conservation should first of all offer their own projects. They have to present the current image of the object compared to the one after restoration,” Kamola Okilova stressed.

For information, Tuprokkala is a city-fortress built on the territory of modern Uzbekistan in the centuries 3-4 AD.

The historical site on the territory of current Beruni city was studied by the Khorezm archaeological-ethnographic expedition from 1938 to 1950. Pieces of fur, silk, cotton fabric, bulrush matt, colored carpets, sculptures, ceramics and coins belonging to Kushan Empire were found from Tuprokkala. The city-fortress was ruined due to demolition of irrigation facilities and military clashes.