Science
Related: About this forumArcheological dig in remote Turkmenistan reveals rare advanced civilization and Bronze Age treasures
Over four millennia ago, the fortress town of Gonur-Tepe might have been a rare advanced civilisation before it was buried for centuries under the dust of the Kara Kum desert in remote western Turkmenistan.
After being uncovered by Soviet archaeologists in the last century, Gonur-Tepe, once home to thousands of people and the centre of a thriving region, is gradually revealing its mysteries with new artifacts being uncovered on every summer dig.
The scale of the huge complex which spans some 30 hectares can only be properly appreciated from the air, from where the former buildings look like a maze in the desert surrounded by vast walls.
Just 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the celebrated ancient city of Merv outside the modern city of Mary, the ruins of Gonur-Tepe are an indication of the archeological riches of Turkmenistan, one of the most isolated countries in the world.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/04/06/archeological-dig-in-remote-turkmenistan-reveals-rare-advanced-civilization-and-bronze-age-treasures/
xchrom
(108,903 posts)pretty remarkable.
Squinch
(50,773 posts)UnrepentantLiberal
(11,700 posts)Fascinating.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)And I love almost nothing more than archaeology coupled with very ancient civilizations.
E.g.,
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/06/gobekli-tepe/mann-text
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/gobekli-tepe.html
Warpy
(110,900 posts)They've been finding so many of these "isolated, advanced Bronze Age civilizations" that one is quite tempted to think the Bronze Age was likely a lot more advanced than its current reputation, that settlements on trade routes were likely interconnected and quite prosperous.
Judi Lynn
(160,211 posts)Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)a few days ago with other links.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1229759
I try to keep that forum going there is also a new documentary on Gobeki Tepi
on youtube there.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1229752
thanks for posting it in science though.
check out that forum there is some good stuff that you don't get in the science forum.
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)Despite the fact I subscribe to that forum I keep forgetting its there.
Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)posted it in both forums most don't even know it exists.
Anyway I provided other links to the story there one has great photos of the place.