Staff from the Dzheyrakh-Assinsky Museum-Reserve conducted an inspection visit to the "Verkhny Koki" (Upper Koki) tower complex, located in the Guloykhi Gorge of the Dzheyrakh District—an area within a restricted border zone accessible only with special permits.

The purpose of the expedition was to identify, document, and describe cultural heritage sites, as well as to capture photographic and video records.

It is worth noting that this was the first such expedition in twenty years, a fact due to the site’s remote, difficult-to-reach location within a restricted border zone. It is known that during the Soviet era, the complex was mined because of its position in the border zone.

No description of "Verkhny Koki" could be found in any historical source or digital resource.

However, there is a known description of the "Koki" tower complex, situated on the slope of Mount Cherekhkort, on the left bank of the Guloy-khi River. That complex consists of eight residential towers, one defensive (combat) tower, two crypts, and eight stelae. It is also documented that the towers of that complex were blown up by Tsarist forces in 1910 for harboring the *abrek* (outlaw/rebel) Zelimkhan, and the local inhabitants were deported to the Irkutsk and Yeniseysk governorates.

The "Verkhny Koki" complex, which was the focus of this visit, is located on a high slope nearby, across a mountain stream.

Preliminary findings from the expedition indicate the presence of the remains of nine residential towers and four stelae at the site.

These structures will be added to the republic’s registry of identified cultural heritage sites and incorporated into academic research.