archaeological site in Turkmenistan
Altin Depe is an archaeological site in Ahal Province, Turkmenistan.
Altin Depe ("Golden Hill") is a settlement of the Eneolithic and Bronze Ages, dating back to the 3rd and beginning of the 2nd millennium BC. It was abandoned around 1600 BC, as the soil was exhausted or due to changes in climate.
Altin Depe formed a large settlement covering around 6 hectares during the early Neolithic period (5th millennium BC). Altin Depe reached its apex at the end of the 3rd and beginning of the 2nd millennium BC. Altin Depe had close connections to contemporary Mesopotamia and the Harappa culture in Hindustan.
Altin Depe is situated about 20 km south of Tejen and about 230 km south east of Ashgabat. Tejen is on the main road from Ashgabat to Mary. It is about a 3-hour drive from Ashgabat to Altin Depe.
The settlement shows a separation of the living quarters according to the wealth and status of their inhabitants. The artisans' quarter contained many rooms for large families with a common household and poorly furnished tombs. The quarter of wealthy citizens had houses for small families with separate courtyards. The quarter for the nobility had regularly planned streets with neatly built houses, covering an area of 80 to 100 m² each.
The religious complex consisted of a four-stepped tower similar to the ziggurats of Mesopotamia with a small shrine on top. Here the small gold heads of a wolf and a bull were found which are now displayed at the Museum in Ashgabat. According to the Russian archaeologist V.M.Masson the cult complex was dedicated to the Moon God, as in Mesopotamian mythology the Moon God was closely connected with the figure of a bull.
There have been no excavations here for many years and it is very difficult to find your way on the site.