The Project For The Archaeological Map Of The Murghab Delta (Turkmenistan): Stratigraphic Trial Trenches At Adzhi Kui 1 And 9

Description

Ancient Civilizations. — 2002. — Vol. 8, No. 1-2 — p. 107-178.Within the framework of the project known as "Archaeological Map of the Murghab Delta," between 1995 and 1997, several short study and check campaigns and limited reconnaissance work were carried out in areas that had been less intensively visited in previous seasons. In 1971, as well as continuing the reconnaissance activity, stratigraphic test trenches were opened in the two sites of Adzhi Kui 1 (=406) and 9 (=409), located in the centre-west portion of the delta, at a distance of ca. 800 m apart. Both sites had already been discovered during surveys carried out in the '70s by Soviet archaeologists, together with other settlements in the area, including Adzhi Kui 8, which had been partially excavated by Y. Sarianidi in 1978. The surface materials in the two sites pointed to a differentiated chronology. Adzhi Kui I actually yielded Late Bronze Age materials, and Adzhi Kui 9 only Kelleli phase materials, i.e. dating to the Middle Bronze Age.The test pits performed at the two sites were quite small, both consisting of a trench measuring 3 x 3 m, both pointing North and in the vicinity of the highest points with respect to the alluvial soil (takyr). On the surface of both squares a systematic collection of the materials was made, while a selective collection was carried out on the entire surface of the two sites.