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Altyn
Depe
Altyn Depe is currently considered Turkmenistan's only
internationally recognised Zoroastrian Ziggurat.
The Altyn Depe ('Golden Hill') fortress dates back to
the III -the beginning of the II millennium BC. It was
connected with the formation of proto-town civilization.
During the excavations a monumental cult complex with
zikkurat dedicated to the God of Moon was opened. In its
structural relation "the town" consisted of living quarters
of handicraftsmen with narrow (1-1.5 m) lanes between
the close many-room houses of the ordinary communers,
the quarters of wealthy townspeople, with more regular
planning and lanes of 1.7-2.1 m and the quarters for aristocracy
with strict distinct planning, wide and straight streets
for those time (up to 2.5 m).
A 3-hour drive from Ashgabat, Altyn Depe should be visited
in connection with the fascinating Sufi Mausoleum of Meane
Baba. |
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