Culture and history info

Dekhistan

Dekhistan, the most significant medieval oasis in southwest Turkmenistan, was home to the City of Misrian. This city flourished during its time under the Shahs of Khwarezm, reaching its peak of splendor. However, it was destroyed by the Mongols and ultimately declined at the end of the 10th century due to the disruption of its irrigation system.

Geoktchik Depe

During the Bronze Age, northeast Iran and southwest Turkmenistan were characterized by large urban centers renowned for specialized crafts, including ceramics, metallurgy, and stonework, showcasing advanced technological skills. Evidence of public buildings, such as palaces and high terraces with cultural significance (notably at Tureng Tepe and Altyn Tepe), along with significant collective works like irrigation systems and long-distance trade links, portray these as highly developed urban societies.

Distinct ceramic traditions mark two major cultural areas:

• West of the Kopet Dagh, especially in northwest Iran (the Gurgan Plain), gray, smooth, hand-made pottery, often linked to Indo-European influences, predominated.
• East of Ashgabat, in the Kopet Dagh foothills, painted ware of the Namazgah type was common.

This vibrant period was followed by a "crisis of urbanization" in the early 2nd millennium BC (Middle and Late Bronze Age). This era saw significant shifts in economy, settlement patterns, architecture, and material culture.

Paraw Bibi Shrine

The Paraw Bibi Shrine, a prominent pilgrimage destination, is situated in western Turkmenistan, approximately 20 kilometers northwest of Gizilarbat in the village of Paraw. Perched about 100 meters up a rocky mountainside, the shrine features a white mausoleum-like structure, historically described as a mosque.

An adjacent chamber with an external entrance complements the shrine. At the mountain's base, a large one-story guest house (mihmanhana or mihman jayi) accommodates pilgrims. Nearby, a roofed platform (bassirma) serves as a communal space for meals and gatherings. Close to the guest house and village are the remains of the town of Ferava/Afraw, dating back to the ninth century.