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TURKMENISTAN - Mary

Gonur Tepe

Gonur Tepe is located about 60 km north of Mary and is about 55 hectares that was inhabited by Indo-Iranian peoples until sometime in the 2nd millennium BCE dating back to 2500 BCE (bronze age). It is a part of the State Historical and Cultural Park “Ancient Merv” listed by UNESCO.
The site was discovered by archaeologist Viktor Sarianidi who found a large palace, a fortified mud-brick enclosure, and temples with fire altars which he believes were dedicated to the Zoroastrian religion.
The site was most likely abandoned after the course of the Murghab River shifted to the west. Gonur is among the largest ruins in the Morghab delta region; over 150 ancient settlements dating to the early Bronze Age (2500-1700 BCE) have been found there.
BEST TIME to VISIT TURKMENISTAN
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BEST TIME to TRAVEL to GONUR TEPE
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From May to September
    (hot in summer)
 
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