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Archaeological missions

 

For over thirty years, Italian-Turkmen archaeological missions have been conducted to uncover the historical testimonies of Turkmenistan, including the Nisa Partica and TAP projects. On December 10, 2024, Dr. Barbara Cerasetti and Prof. Carlo Lippolis were awarded by the Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan for their contribution. The medal, commemorating the 300th anniversary of the birth of Turkmen poet Magtymguly Pyragy, recognizes the commitment of Italian archaeology and the collaboration between the two countries, also in view of the grand exhibition on Turkmen archaeology at the Capitolini Museums in 2025.

 

Nisa Partica Project

 

  • Where: Bagyr, 18 km west of Ashgabat
  • Organization: Centre for Archaeological Research and Excavations of Turin (CRAST), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Department for Protection, Research and Restoration of the Historical and Cultural Monuments of the Ministry of Culture, National Museum of Ashgabat
  • Direction: Prof. Carlo Lippolis
  • Period: 1990-ongoing
  • Objective: Study on the spread of Hellenistic culture in Asia and its encounter with Iranian culture (focus on Parthian culture in Central Asia)
Under the direction of Carlo Lippolis, Professor of Archaeology and Art History of the Near East at the University of Turin and Director of CRAST, the archaeological mission at Nisa Partica has been focused for over three decades on exploring one of the most important sites in Central Asia. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 2007, Nisa represents one of the first capitals of the Arsacid dynasty, conquered by the Parthians (or Arsacids) around the 3rd century BC, under the leadership of King Arsaces I, and freed from Seleucid control. The archaeological area of Nisa, at the foot of the Kopet Dagh in southern Turkmenistan, includes New Nisa and Old Nisa. New Nisa was a fortified city, while Old Nisa (Mithradatkert, “the fortress of Mithridates”) was a ceremonial, rather than military, center, reflecting cultural influences from the steppes, Achaemenid Iran, and Hellenism.
Main Excavation Campaigns:
  1. 1990-1999: Excavations in the Round Hall (a monumental building in Old Nisa, with a central circular hall inserted in a quadrangular perimeter, probably for sacrificial purposes), recovery of fragments of sculptures in raw clay.
  2. 2000-2001: Excavations in the Red Building (a monumental ceremonial building characterized by red plaster and a central hall with columns), identification of Islamic structures superimposed on Parthian ones.
  3. 2002-2003: Near-complete discovery of the Red Building.
  4. 2004-2005: Clearing of the perimeter corridors of the Red Building, discovery of restorations and renovations.
  5. 2006: Conclusion of the works in the Red Building, discovery of a medieval temporary shelter.
  6. 2007 onwards: Excavations in the southern sector (South-West Building and East Building), discovery of ostraca and raw clay seals.
  7. 2019: Investigation in the northern sector (Sector M), discovery of a new building with significant wall thickness.
  8. 2024: Laser scanning project of the entire site to produce a three-dimensional model of the terrain.

 

 

 TAP (Togolok Archaeological Project) Project

 

  • Where: Togolok (Murghab region), 400 km from Ashgabat
  • Organization: International Association for Mediterranean and Oriental Studies (ISMEO), MAECI, Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan, University of Bern and Freie Universität Berlin
  • Direction: Dr. Barbara Cerasetti
  • Period: 1990-ongoing
  • Objective: Investigate the relationship between local sedentary farmers and mobile pastoralists, document the architecture and economic activities of the site, and improve knowledge of the history and culture of the region from the Bronze Age to the Islamic period.
Since 1990, the TAP Project has explored an area of over 20,000 square kilometers, the historic Margiana, corresponding to the Murghab River delta (southern Turkmenistan) and previously erroneously considered a marginal area. Under the direction of Dr. Barbara Cerasetti, TAP Project Head, approximately 2000 sites from the Bronze Age to the Islamic period have been recorded, focusing since 2014 on the site of Togolok 1 (about 11 hectares), one of the main settlements of prehistoric Margiana, and part of a group of over 30 sites in the same area. In particular, TAP has conducted studies at the site to deepen the understanding of the interaction and integration between sedentary farmers and mobile pastoralists, as well as to better understand the settlement dynamics and ancient landscape.
Main Excavation Campaigns:
  1. 1990-2009: Creation of the archaeological map of the Murghab River alluvial fan, with the aim of documenting archaeological sites in the Delta to reconstruct landscape and settlement changes due to the expansion of irrigation activities.
  2. 2000-2002: Excavation of the Andronovo culture site at Chopantam.
  3. 2010-2011: Excavation of the Ojakly site (associated with the Andronovo culture, a Bronze Age culture known for its decorated pottery and burials with skeletons in a crouched position) in collaboration with Washington University in St. Louis.
  4. 2013: Excavation of the BMAC site (Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex, developed between 2300 and 1700 BC, known for its fortified cities, monumental architecture, decorated pottery, and metal artifacts) at Adji Kui.
  5. 2014-present: Excavation of the Togolok 1 site, focusing on the later phases of occupation and the relationship between local farmers and mobile pastoralists.
  6. 2016: Launch of the “Water Management Project” to study water resource exploitation strategies.
  7. 2023: Resumption of activities after the pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with investigations on the northern mound of Togolok 1.
   

 

 

 

 

 

Last updated: 23 february 2025