AMonumentIndependent states
Gonur Depe
A large Bronze Age settlement (2400–1600 BC), considered the "capital" of the Margiana civilisation.
Gonur Depe lies about 60 km north of ancient Merv (the city of Mary) on the edge of the Karakum and is the largest centre of the Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex.
The archaeologist Viktor Sarianidi excavated here for decades, uncovering a palace, temples, fire altars, water basins and rich graves, including a wagon buried with a horse.
The site shows that Central Asia had a brilliant urban culture of its own at the same time as Mesopotamia and India.
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Updated: October 3, 2026