Altyndepe

Altyndepe, meaning 'Golden Hill,' is a significant Bronze Age archaeological site located near Aşgabat, Turkmenistan. First settled during the Late Regionalization Era around 3200 BCE, the site evolved into a fully integrated urban center by 2400 BCE. The site is characterized by its notable ziggurat, a four-level religious structure reminiscent of Mesopotamian architecture, indicating cultural interactions with neighboring civilizations. The discovery of Indus Valley artifacts, including ivory objects and Harappan seals, further illustrates Altyndepe's extensive trade connections. The site also provides the earliest known evidence of wheeled transport in Central Asia, with models of two-wheeled carts dating back to around 3000 BCE and a camel-drawn four-wheeled wagon from 2200 BCE. Altyndepe's combination of domestic, defensive, and religious structures highlights its role as a prominent urban and cultural center in the Bronze Age.