Long before the Silk Roads took shape, the Bronze Age settlement of Gonur-Depe, located in the Murghab delta, flourished as part of the Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC). Excavated extensively since the late 20th century, Gonur-Depe dates to around 2300–2250 BCE and continued until roughly 1600 BCE. Archaeologists have uncovered palaces, temples, workshops, and thousands of artifacts — including seals, ivory objects, ceramics, and metal tools. These finds suggest that early networks of exchange connected this settlement with distant regions, foreshadowing the trade flows of the later Silk Roads.
Nisa: The Parthian Stronghold
By the 3rd century BCE, the Parthian Empire emerged as a power controlling trade routes across Central Asia. At its heart was Nisa, near modern Ashgabat, a fortress city that symbolized Parthian strength and cosmopolitanism. Today, the Parthian Fortresses of Nisa are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List (2007), recognized for their monumental mudbrick walls, storage complexes, and evidence of wine production and artistic exchange. Nisa reflects the strategic importance of Turkmenistan as a frontier and bridge between Persia, Central Asia, and beyond.
Merv: The Pearl of the East
The oasis city of Merv became one of the great urban centers of the Silk Roads. Flourishing under the Achaemenids, then the Parthians and Sassanids, it reached its golden age under the Seljuks in the 11th–12th centuries CE. Described in medieval sources as “the mother of cities,” Merv was a hub of scholarship, trade, and culture. Its ruins — including fortifications, mosques, and palaces — form part of the State Historical and Cultural Park “Ancient Merv,” which is also a UNESCO site.
Koneurgench: The Northern Gateway
In northern Turkmenistan, Koneurgench served as a vital commercial and cultural node. Once the capital of the Khorezmian state, it hosted caravan traffic linking Persia, the steppe, and the Volga basin. Its UNESCO-listed monuments include the towering Kutlug Timur Minaret (62 m high), mausoleums, and caravanserais that testify to the city’s prosperity before its decline in the 14th century.
Modern Recognition: UNESCO and the Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor
In September 2023, at UNESCO’s 45th World Heritage Committee session in Riyadh, the “Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor” was inscribed on the World Heritage List. This transnational nomination, shared by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, highlights caravan routes, fortresses, and archaeological remains stretching across deserts and rivers. For Turkmenistan, it reinforces the international importance of sites such as Merv and Koneurgench as part of a broader cultural landscape.
New Archaeological Discoveries (2024–2025)
Excavations at Gonur-Depe in autumn 2024 uncovered new seals, amulets, and decorative items, deepening our understanding of Bronze Age urbanism. The Turkmen government continues to fund digs and promote the site as a national heritage symbol, positioning it alongside UNESCO-listed monuments. In 2025, state cultural institutions marked the second anniversary of the Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor inscription with exhibitions and public lectures in Ashgabat.
A Living Legacy
Beyond ruins and artifacts, Turkmenistan celebrates the Silk Roads as part of its living identity. Cultural festivals, museum exhibitions, and educational programs highlight the historic role of Turkmen lands as crossroads of civilizations. The story of Gonur-Depe, Nisa, Merv, and Koneurgench is not only about the past — it is a reminder of shared heritage and the continuing power of connectivity across nations.
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Sources
• UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Parthian Fortresses of Nisa (2007), Ancient Merv (1999), Koneurgench (2005).
• UNESCO (2023): Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor inscription.
• Turkmenistan government news: archaeological finds at Gonur-Depe (2024).
• Turkmen Portal (2023): National celebration of Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor inscription.
• Britannica: entries on Merv, Nisa, and Koneurgench.