Altyndepe, Archaeological site in Torkaman County, Iran
Altyndepe is an archaeological site in Torkaman County with multiple layers of ancient settlements reaching depths of 8 meters below the surface. The excavation area covers about 25 hectares and reveals how communities inhabited this location for several thousand years.
The settlement began around 5000 BCE and remained inhabited continuously until roughly 2000 BCE. The layers show how life here changed gradually over time while people kept returning to the same location.
The artifacts found here reveal how people lived and what mattered to them in daily life. Pottery with geometric patterns, bone tools, and metal objects show the crafts and goods that were important to ancient inhabitants.
The site holds status as Iranian National Heritage with protected access, meaning visits are controlled to preserve the archaeological materials. It is best to check current access requirements before planning a visit.
Among the discoveries are clay models of two-wheeled carts dating to around 3000 BCE, making them among the earliest evidence of wheeled vehicles in Central Asia. These small models offer insight into ancient transportation technology and show that wheeled transport was already a developed concept.
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