Culture and history info
Abiverd
According to Al Makdisi Abiverd (the ancient town site of Peshtak between the stations of Artyk and Kaahka) was richer and more fertile than Parthian Nissa. It's shakh-ristan was surrounded by the perimeter by the walls with rounded towers and the moat. A straight street connected the only town gates with the gates of the citadel. A monumental portal-and-dome mosque stood almost in the center /12th c.Main handicraft manufactures and bazaars were placed in a broad rabat.
Alty-Depe / Early Agricultural Cilivization
The Altyn Depe/Golden Hill/ fortress dates back to the III -the beginning of the II millennium BC. It was connected with the formation of proto-town civilization. During the excavations a monumental cult complex with zikkurat dedicated to the God of Moon was opened. In its structural relation "the town" consisted of living quarters of handicraftsmen with narrow (1-1,5 m) lanes between the close many-room houses of the ordinary communers, the quarters of wealthy townspeople, with more regular planning and lanes of 1,7-2,1 m and the quarters for aristocracy with strict distinct planning, wide and straight streets for those time (up to 2,5 m). ABIVERD According to Al Makdisi Abiverd (the ancient town site of Peshtak between the stations of Artyk and Kaahka) was richer and more fertile than Parthian Nissa. It's shakh-ristan was surrounded by the perimeter by the walls with rounded towers and the moat. A straight street connected the only town gates with the gates of the citadel. A monumental portal-and-dome mosque stood almost in the center /12th c.Main handicraft manufactures and baza.
Anau Mosque
40 minutes by car from Ashgabat to the south east. This site includes the remains of the ancient settlement Anau -Depe and ancient fortress Anau. The name Anau derives from Abi-Nau, meaning "new water". This place was already inhabited in the 4-3 millenium B.C. The culture of this period has been named Anau culture. Excavations began in l904 when an American archaeologist R. Pempelli launched an expedition. The site includes a great wall and a ditch. Some skeletons of children, the remains of the painted ceramics, decorated with the geometrical ornament and the most ancient remains of the camels were discovered at the time of excavations. According to the scientists camels were domesticated at first just on the territory of the present day Turkmenistan. Anau fortress already existed during the Parthian period /3d c BC- 3d c. AD/. The mosque, constructed in the 15 c., is located in the southern part of the fortress. Its lofty, powerful outlines were visible from a great distance. One curious feature of the mosque is the mosaic decoration above the entrance, depicting two enormous 8-9 m dragons facing each other. Some experts think that dragons were totems of the Turkmenian tribe which inhabited Anau in the 15 century. Sheikh Jemaled-din probably belonged to this tribe. The mosque was destroyed by the 1948 earthquake. In the meantime the location is still hallowed as the site of the grave of Sheikh Djemalledin. Childless couples bring children's clothes here as an offering, and baby dolls are swaddled and left in tiny hammocks slung between two sticks.
Kahka
Kahka - is one of the richest regions with its architectural monuments on the territory of Turkmenistan. About two hundred historical, archeological and architectural monuments were discovered and displayed in this region. Ancient Abiverd, Namazga-Depe, Altyn-Depe, Ak-Depe, Gara-Depe- these are the oldest places, where people lived in ancient times- V-II thousand years ago and applied themselves to the cultivation of grain, applied hand-craft, preparation of fabulous, varied production. Among historical monuments in books and notes that are considered to be one of the ancient monuments the name Abiverd is often mentioned to us. Even at the period of antiquity , in the epoch of the Parthian kingdom, during the reign of Seldjuk empire, even in medieval centuries, when the "Great Silk Route " passed through Abiverd or Baverd, the town was considered densely populated, including in itself several fortresses and was mentioned as the center, that enclosed all these monuments. This region, that is very rich in historical-architectural monuments didn-t have any special organization or facilities in protection, conservation and study of these buildings. First years of independence of our country, on the I-st of April 1993 the President of Turkmenistan C.Niyazov signed a special Decree announcing the territory of medieval fortress "Abiverd", that is situated in Kahka, as the National historical- cultural reserve. "Abiverd" reserve commenced the study of architectural monuments, based on the scientific levels, arrangements and showing them to the present and following generation. On these pages we made an attempt to tell you about some of the architectural monuments, that are situated in the region and invite you for the trip to such places.
Namazga Depe
In the center of Kahka region, about 7 kilometers to the west, occupying a vast territory (70 ha) , the architectural monument Namazgadepe is located. People inhabited this area already in the III millennium BC. At that time the town had 10 000 inhabitants. First archeological excavations took place here in 1930-1940. Masson named the culture of this area Namazga culture. Nam Sufism school and philosopher Abu Said lbn Makneye. Its double dome s was very typical for the architecture of that period of time. In the 15th century the building was partly renovated.
The interior and exterior of the mausoleum are decorated with Arabic inscriptions and the portal is laced with mosaics. Abu-Said Mackneyi was born in 968 and died in 1049. When he was 12 years old he could read by heart three thousand lines in the Arabic language. His father's name was Ibrayim. He owned a perfume shop and paid a big attention to his son's education. Abu Said studied in Mary and gained his education from famous people of that period Abu Zahir and Abul-Fazil. There are lots of amusing stories about Abu Said's life experience. Once when Abu Said was at the mosque in Nishapur, the famous scientist Abu-Ali lbn Sina entered the mosque and joined praying people. They met each other and had conversation, lasted for three days. When Abu Said was about to leave one person stopped him and asked "How did you found lbn Sina"? He answered "lbn Sina knows everything". When the same question they asked lbn Sin, he answered "Abu Said knows everything that I know".
Kuren Kala
The historical monument Kuren-Kala (Vl-VII c.c.) is located in Kahka region, about 25 km to the north-east from the railway station Artyc. These days one can see the remains of the citadel. The total area is: 100m by 85m. The height of the Kala is 11-12 m. The hill is surrounded by smaller hills-Depe. The second hill of Kuren Kala/9,5m high/ is located about 2 km from the main citadel to the south east. The area of this hill/Depe in Turkmen/ is 71m by 63m. The ceramics of this Depe is very similar to the ceramics of the main hill-citadel. Also coins, glass, copper bowls, khums/jugs were found here.
Karahan Kala
Karahan-Kala fortress is situated in Kahka region. It represents a regular rectangle. In the southern wall of the fortress there are gates 3.5 m long. The oval towers strengthened additionally the walls of the fortress, surrounded by a moat. People inhabited this area were engaged in agriculture and cattle-breeding.They irrigated the land, using the water of the Naurekchag river. Starting in Iran, the river had been dried up in the XIX c. and people had to move to the south.The fortress Karahan -Kala was built by Karahan - the member of the Alili clan.
Chugundor - Kufen
The historical monument Chugundor/the town of Kufen/ is situated about 2 kilometers from the railway station Baba Durmaz. Oval in the shape, the town was surrounded by walls and a moat. The walls were 6 km long and 2 m high. The town had five gates, three of which were located in the eastern part of the settlement. Still we can see the remains of white buildings and the mausoleum. In early medieval historical sources we can fine the other name of the town - Kufen. To the west there is a Mausoleum Chugundor Baba/ the end of XI- the beginning of XII centuries, till I half of the XI-XII centuries on the territory of the settlement was erected a fortification which in XI-XII centuries converts into the flourishing town Abiverd. In early medieval sources the town-s name was Kufen.
Anakhita
Anakhita "The sacred fire" is situated by the mouth of the small river, to the east of the village Baba-Durmaz. Among the river there is the marvelous historical monument, that was first studied in 1928-1930 by the well-known Soviet archeologists A. A. Marushenko who referred this monument to the I millenium BC . Life continued here till the beginning of our era. During a short period of excavations the stone sculpture of the god Anakhit was discovered here. Hence the name of this temple. The Anakhit monument belongs to the I-st thousand B.C. and Anakhit was the God of prosperity, fertility and love.
Kara Depe
The historical monument Kara-Depe is situated about 3 km to the south from the railway station Artyk. The total area of this site is 15 hectares. Moderate climate had created conditions for the long life of this ancient settlement. Adobe dwelling houses and households were located here. The yards adjoining to houses were divided by narrow streets. People of Kara-depe were engaged in agriculture and cattle-breeding. The artisans widely used copper, stone, bone, wood and clay. Archeological excavations testily to the fact that life here was already in III millenium BC. Historians call Kara Depe "the town of ancient artists".
Khivi Abad Fortress
Khivi -Abad fortressXVIII c. is situated 22 km northwest of Khivi Abad village. It is surrounded by walls and a moat. Still you can see the remains of the watch towers and the gates. The northern, eastern and western parts of the walls are well preserved. The southern one is ruined. Each wall had 12 rounded towers. The gates were also fortified by two towers.
Nedir Shakh Fortress
The Nedir Shakh fortress was built by Nedir-Shah's order in the 18-th century. The fortress was surrounded by moat. The southern wall of this historical monument was damaged, however the other walls have been preserved to our days. In the northern corner of the fortress one can see a hill 10 meters high. From the top of this hill the whole fortress and its surroundings could be seen. In the middle of the fortress there are the ruins of the palace.
About 22 kilometers to the north of Kahka region in the collective farm named after A. Tahirov, there is the fortress of the great ruler Nedir-Shah. The fortress was built by the order of Nedir-Shah himself in the 18-th century. It was built in a rectangular form with the walls reaching to one thousand meters and the height up to 3 meters and surrounded by water channels. In every corner of the walls there are 12 round orifices that were once used for protection. Their height is 5 meters. The southern walls of this historical monument were damaged by inundation, but other walls have been preserved to our days. On the northern corner of the fortress one can see a hill with the height of 10 meters and 20 in diameter. From the hill the whole fortress and its surroundings can be seen. In the middle of the fortress there are the ruins of the inner part of the palace. The monument gives a beautiful view to Kopet-Dag mountain ranges.
Yadhan
Yahdan is situated 22 km to the south from the center ofKahka region. There are two Yahdan-snow reservoirs. From the ancient times this place was suffering from a shortage of water.The local people learnt to use and keep snow in winter.Yahdan is a cupola construction, made of raw bricks. In the eastern part of the 1st Yahdan there is an entrance 1.75m wide and 2m high. It's diameter is 12m, height - about 15-20 m. The 2nd Yahdan is smaller in size and less preserved.
Yarty Depe
TheXI-XIII c.c. monument represents a hill (8 m high). Primarily it had a half rounded outline. It's southern part is ruined. As a result of archeological excavations dwelling houses and living rooms were opened .Ceramics, glass and remains of metal products were found here.
Ak Depe
VI-VII c.c. "Ak-depe" is situated 4 km to the north-west of Artyk station. At present the monument represents a very big hill, surrounded by a moat. This castle appeared here at the period of antiquity. The total area of the castle is 74kmX26 km.The entrance had two huge towers. The primary height of the walls has reached 10 m. The northern wall had an entrance. The castle was renovated in the 6 c. During the architectural excavations silver and copper coins were found. Like the majority of other kakhs it appeared at the place of an antique settlement, combining of living and household dwellings.
Meane Baba Mausoleum & Shrine
The Mausoleum of Abu Said Makneyi is situated in a small village in Kahka. It was built during the reign of Turkmen-Seljuks in the 11-th century. This mausoleum was constructed over the grave of famous followers of sufizm and the great philosophers in Eastern literature Abu Said Makneyi who lived during the period of 968- 1049. The approximate time of the construction is estimated to be the middle of 11-th century. It has the double dome that is the main characteristic features of time. In the 15-th century the building was partly renovated, but its constructive bases were not damaged. The inner part of the mausoleum is decorated with inscriptions and the portal is laced with mosaics. The mosaics differ in motley colors like puce, white, green and others. One part of the building reaches to 10,3 meters and doubled domes up to 21-22-23 centimeters. The mausoleum is all over decorated with Arabic inscriptions in outer and design patterns in inner parts.
Murche Site
Murche, located 118km to the west of Ashgabat, is an ancient village in the foothills of the Kopetdag Mountains filled with ancient ruins, mysticism, and deities. In Murche, one can see the ancient tribal traditions still performed with their mysterious offerings to the pagan deities; see the unexplained natural phenomenon of light radiating from an archaic burial site, or walk over pre-Islamic ruins dedicated to the patroness of women and fertility. Also in Murche is the Mausoleum of Zengi-Baba who is in Indo-Iranian mythology a reflection of Mithra, the ancient god of sun. Eventually this cult spread beyond Iran and Asia Minor and gradually became a mystery cult. It's all for the curious traveler, only two hours away from the capital.
Old and New Nisa
This site includes the remains of Old and New Nisa. Two outstanding monuments of Central Asian archeology - the townships of Old and New Nisa- are situated on the grounds of Bagir village about 18 km from Ashgabat. The Old Nisa was an important center of the Parthian state, which existed since the III c. BC up to the III c. AD and rivaled with Rome for supremacy in the Near East In particular, in 53 BC the Parthians managed to bring a crushing defeat upon the Romans in the battle of Karres/ a small village in Northern Mesopotamia/; thousands of Roman soldiers were sent to settle in the remote Margiana, in the valley of the Murgab river. The New Nisa is older than the Old Nisa.
