The responder to this question sometimes shows a region so large that it encompasses much more territory than the name would imply, since Margiana lies in the Kara Kum Desert and Bactria sits in the Northeastern reaches of what is now Afghanistan.
This map shows these areas:
Use your zoom function to find the Murghab River in Turkmenistan, the location of Gonur North, Gonur Depe and other ruined settlements of the Margiana civilization. The region of Balkh along the Amu Darya is the location of the ancient ruins of Bactrian settlements.
Other archeologists or experts in Bronze Age glyptics will usually offer a map much like this one:
Victor Sarianidi shows this map in his interpretive catalog of Bactria-Margiana Archeological Complex artifacts in his work Myths of Ancient Bactria Margiana on Its Seals and Amulets. The motifs, styles and shapes of the glyptics are found to be similar among the findings by archeologists from Crete through Anatolia and Northern Syria, across Iran and Afghanistan from the mouth of the Persian gulf to Bactria-Margiana and Baluchistan, then over the Khyber Pass and on to the Indus Valley.
Traders, travelers and imitative artisans could be the explanation for the wide distribution of similar stone and metal beads, seals and amulets. The distinctive attribute of the Bactria-Margiana culture located in Turkmenistan and in Bactria passed on a religious legacy in the people that continued to inhabit Persia and India: the Zoroastrians. For example, in my own collection of Bactrian stamp seals, I see in the ancient motif the suggestion of a modern mandala design:
This map shows these areas:
Outlined border of the ruins excavated in the Murghab region of Turkmenistan and the Balkh province in Afghanistan showing the location of the ancient Bactrian ruins.
Use your zoom function to find the Murghab River in Turkmenistan, the location of Gonur North, Gonur Depe and other ruined settlements of the Margiana civilization. The region of Balkh along the Amu Darya is the location of the ancient ruins of Bactrian settlements.
Other archeologists or experts in Bronze Age glyptics will usually offer a map much like this one:
Victor Sarianidi shows this map in his interpretive catalog of Bactria-Margiana Archeological Complex artifacts in his work Myths of Ancient Bactria Margiana on Its Seals and Amulets. The motifs, styles and shapes of the glyptics are found to be similar among the findings by archeologists from Crete through Anatolia and Northern Syria, across Iran and Afghanistan from the mouth of the Persian gulf to Bactria-Margiana and Baluchistan, then over the Khyber Pass and on to the Indus Valley.
Traders, travelers and imitative artisans could be the explanation for the wide distribution of similar stone and metal beads, seals and amulets. The distinctive attribute of the Bactria-Margiana culture located in Turkmenistan and in Bactria passed on a religious legacy in the people that continued to inhabit Persia and India: the Zoroastrians. For example, in my own collection of Bactrian stamp seals, I see in the ancient motif the suggestion of a modern mandala design:
Ancient Copper/Bronze Seal from Bactria
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This is so fascinating, Anna! I love maps, and it's so nice to have them here. :) Interesting animal figures in Victor's map. The bowls with animals around the rim are particularly curious. This looks like a widespread motif, unless I'm misreading the map. Really happy I could help you, even if a very small way, Anna. :)
ReplyDeleteYour help was not small! Many of the Murghabo-Bactrian (using Sylvia Winkelman's terminology) motifs are very widespread. Part of it is probably due to trade and travel. The Silk Road had pretty heavy traffic by 2,500 B.C. It was not called the Silk Road at that time, of course ;)
DeleteAnother fascinating read, Anna. I am It's amazing how artistic designs are similar in places that are a long way from each other. Ahhh, the power of human migration . . .
ReplyDeleteYes, I am quite amazed as I continue to research the history of how humanity's long separation came together on the trade route from Europe to Central China. This trail finally gained the name of the Silk Road because the royalty of Europe wanted Chinese silk for their finery.
DeleteDid it have some common name in ancient times - say at certain stages? That's amazing it was heavily used by 2500 BC! I agree w/ Catherine: diffusion is an interesting topic; to me, especially in studies of comparative religion. :)
DeleteThe historians that I read call these roads from Europe to various parts of Asia simply "trade routes." As various places began to specialize in a product such as spice or silk, that branch of the route took on the name of the special product. Even particular gemstones such as Lapis Lazuli was the cause of a trade route from Afghanistan to Egypt. I, too, was drawn into the study of human movement by learning about various religions. When I was about 23 years old, I visited the most interesting book store around the university at Berkeley. I found there a set of books with all the notes from the world council of religions at the World's Fair in the late 1800s or early 1900s, as I recall. I read them from cover to cover and that got me going on this long and interesting search. It appears that it will be a never ending project ;)
DeleteTrade routes were certainly important to link various cultures, spread information and new ideas.
ReplyDeleteAnd now our trade routes are mostly up in the air ;) Thanks for reading and commenting, Debbie.
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