A Unique Complex of Ancient Burials Has Been Discovered at the Gonur-Depe Excavation Site
The joint Russian-Turkmen Margiana Archaeological Expedition has concluded its latest field season at the ancient oasis of Gonur-Depe. This work marks the resumption of practical cooperation between specialists from the two countries following a two-year hiatus.
During this season, the researchers focused on studying the settlement structure of the land of Margush (part of the Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex) at the Gonur-20 and Gonur-27 sites. According to the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the team succeeded in refining the boundaries of the settlements and excavating ancient kilns. They also expanded their collection with bronze and stone seals, ceramics, and rare agricultural and woodworking tools—specifically, various types of chisels and gouges.
The major sensation of the season was the discovery of a multi-layered burial site—a find previously unseen at Gonur-Depe. Nadezhda Dubova, head of the expedition and a chief researcher at the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEA RAS), told the TASS news agency that, for the first time, archaeologists had uncovered a unified complex consisting of five sequential burials. The graves were constructed one after another: first, two adults were interred, followed by a child—whose burial proved to be the richest in terms of artifacts. All the recovered items have been placed in the care of museums in Turkmenistan.
Another significant event of the season was a visit to Gonur-Depe by specialists from the French Archaeological Mission, which works at the Ulug-Depe site in the foothills of the Kopet Dag mountains. The international group of experts discussed with their colleagues topics such as ancient migration patterns, trade routes, and bronze production technologies dating back to the 3rd and 2nd millennia BCE.
The next phase of the project, scheduled for 2026, will involve laboratory analysis of the findings at museums within the country, while a new round of field excavations in the Karakum Desert is planned for the spring of 2027.
