Identity and interaction at Togolok 1 in the Murghab region (Southern Turkmenistan) during the Bronze Age

Forni, L; Arciero, R. (2022)

Article in monograph or in proceedings

The present paper investigates the material culture of Togolok 1 in the Murghab region (Southern
Turkmenistan) during the latest phases of occupation by a semi-mobile community between the final
stage of the 3rd millennium and the 2nd millennium BCE. In the last decades, archaeological research in
the Murghab region has focused on the scattered semi-mobile occupations and their economic trends
during the Late Bronze Age. The semi-mobile community in Togolok 1 presents a remarkable material
culture among the semi-mobile excavated contexts in the Murghab region. Although archaeological
evidence in Togolok suggests a semi-mobile identity, the overall morphological and iconographical
analysis of small objects shows strong cultural associations with the sedentary BMAC (Bactro-Margiana
Archaeological Complex) communities. Moreover, the association with sedentary communities is
consistent with the economic activities, which suggest a constant interplay between pastoralism and
farming. Therefore, we propose that the community settled in Togolok 1 was reshaped by the intense
economic and cultural interaction with the neighbouring BMAC communities.

• All authors: Forni, L; Arciero, R.
• Editor(s): Coppini, C.; Cyrus, G.; Golestaneh, H.
• Date: 2022
• Title of host publication: Bridging the gap: disciplines, times, and spaces in dialogue. Sessions 4 and 6 from the conference Broadening Horizons 6 held at the Freie Universität Berlin, 24-28 June 2019
• ISBN (print): 9781803273402
• Link: https://www.archaeopress.com/Archaeopress/Products/9781803273402
• Name: 3
• Conference: Broadening Horizons
• Date: 2019-06-24 - 2019-06-28
• Location: Berlin, Germany