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Turkmenistan

Merv

Ancient oasis city with diverse historical layers.

Time Periods

Paleolithic

Paleolithic

Mesolithic

Mesolithic

Neolithic

Neolithic

Chalcolithic

Chalcolithic

Bronze Age

Bronze Age

Iron Age

Iron Age

Classical Period

Classical Period

Post-Classical Period

Post-Classical Period

Early Modern Period

Early Modern Period

Industrial Period

Industrial Period

Contemporary Period

Contemporary Period

About

Merv, an ancient city in Central Asia, is renowned for its extensive and diverse historical layers. With origins in the 3rd millennium BCE, Merv thrived as a significant hub on the Silk Road, experiencing numerous phases of prosperity and decline under various empires such as the Achaemenids, Seleucids, and Seljuqs. The city's strategic location facilitated its role as a cultural and scientific center, attracting notable figures like Omar Khayyam. Archaeologically, Merv offers a rich tapestry of features, including defensive walls, palaces, mosques, and an observatory. Despite its destruction by the Mongols and later by the Emirate of Bukhara, Merv remains a vital archaeological site, offering insights into the evolution of urban life in Central Asia over several millennia.

Gallery

Explore photographs of ancient structures, artifacts, and archaeological excavations at Merv

FileCoin_of_Shapur_III_Merv_mint.jpg
FileCyark_merv_1.jpg
FileCyark_merv_2.jpg

Archaeological Features

Explore the unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

Storage Structures

Warehouses

Defensive Structures

Defensive WallsFortresses

Water Management Features

DamsIrrigation Canals

Public and Civic Structures

LibrariesSchoolsMarketplaces

Burial and Funerary Structures

TombsMausoleums

Industrial and Craft Structures

KilnsWorkshops

Religious and Ritual Structures

TemplesMosques

Agricultural and Land Use Features

Gardens

Domestic and Habitation Structures

CitiesPalaces

Astronomical and Timekeeping Structures

Observatories

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's archaeological history

Plan Your Visit

Details

Country
Turkmenistan
Source
Wikipedia