Altyn Depe, Turkmenistán

Altyn Depe, Turkmenistán 

Altyn-Depe is an ancient settlement of the Bronze Age (3,000 – 2,000 B.C.) on the territory of ancient Abiver. Today Altyn-Depe is nicknamed «Turkmen Stonehendge”. Shapeless pise-walled hills of Altyn-Depe different in terms of area and height are scattered around vast territory. All these architectural symbols are interconnected by some uniform system. They form original inscriptions or patterns which are distinctly seen from above.

The ancient settlement of Altyn-Depe, Namazga-Depe, and Ulug-Depe as well as others emerged in 3,000 B.C. , and by the beginning of 2,000 B.C. they reached their highest prosperity becoming the largest centers of the first Central Asian civilization. These settlements were surrounded by mud brick fortifications with gates reinforced by powerful towers. Judging by the ruins area each of them could accommodate 11-12 thousand people. Mud bricks were used for construction of multiroom houses which formed extensive quarters divided by narrow winding streets. The center of Altyn-Depe was a monumental temple with a four-level tower of about 12 m . in height. At the top of the tower there was a sacrificial altar.

Epic Turkmenistan Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound