Saray-Jük

Saray-Jük (Сарай-Жүк) / Sarai-Dzhuk (Сарай-Джук) or Kishi Saray (Кіші Сарай) in the Kazakh language, Saraychyq (Сарайчык) in modern Tatar, and Saray Maly (Russian: Сара́й Ма́лый) literally "Little Sarai", to distinguish it from Old Sarai, was a medieval city on the border between Europe and Asia. It was located 50 km north Atyrau on the lower Ural River, near the modern village of Sarayshyq, Atyrau Region, Kazakhstan. The city lay on an important trade route between Europe and China and flourished between the 10th and 16th centuries.

History

Until recently it was believed that Saray-Jük was founded by Batu Khan who was one of king of Mongol Empire, but archeological excavations have revealed that the city was founded as early as the 10th or 11th century. In the 13th century Saray-Jük became an important trade center and was one of the biggest cities of the Golden Horde (Golden Palace). The ruins of the suburb Aqtöbe, located near Atyrau were preserved until the 20th century. The city had a ceramic water-pipe and both metallurgy and pottery were also developed. Neighboring populations were agriculturist or fishermen.