Chilpik Tower of Silence

Chilpik, or Chilpik Dakhma, is an ancient Zoroastrian "tower of silence" standing on a rocky hill above the Amu Darya in Karakalpakstan, north-west Uzbekistan, roughly 40 kilometres south of Nukus. The circular structure of raised earthen and mud-brick walls is generally dated to the early centuries around the turn of the era, from about the 1st century BCE to the 1st century CE, with later reuse. As a dakhma, it served the Zoroastrian practice of excarnation: the dead were exposed within the enclosure so that their bodies would not pollute the sacred elements of earth and fire, and the bones were later gathered.

A hilltop ruin associated with death and open-air burial naturally attracts an atmosphere of the uncanny, and travellers sometimes speak of it in such terms. These impressions are subjective; the site is better understood through the religious beliefs that shaped it than through modern notions of the haunted.

Chilpik is a valuable monument to the Zoroastrian heritage of ancient Khorezm and the long, layered history of the Amu Darya region. Its silhouette against the desert sky has become an emblem of Karakalpakstan, and it offers insight into how ancient communities understood death, purity and the cosmos.

Chilpik is an open ancient monument that can be visited freely, often as a stop on tours through Karakalpakstan between Nukus and other desert sites. There is a climb up the hill to reach the structure, and the surrounding area is exposed desert, so visitors should bring water, sun protection and suitable footwear.

As a fragile archaeological and religious site, it should be treated with respect: visitors should avoid damaging the earthen walls, refrain from removing anything, and remember that it was a place of burial. There are few formal facilities, so it is best approached with local guidance and appropriate preparation for a remote setting.