Parz-Depe — The Ancient Settlement of the “Seven Winds”

About This Destination

The ancient settlement of Parz-Depe, located about 12 km northwest of New Nisa, is one of the oldest archaeological sites in Ahal Region, Turkmenistan. The settlement consists of three main parts: the citadel, the shahristan (city), and the suburb.

History

The citadel, located at the center of the hill and rising 2–3 meters above the surrounding terrain, forms a rectangular fortress measuring 45 × 50 meters. Its fortified walls, made of mountain stones and large sun-dried bricks, were strengthened by watchtowers along their perimeter. The main city area forms a pentagonal shape about 160 × 200 meters, surrounded by an extensive suburban zone that encircled the hill on all sides. Archaeological evidence suggests that Parz-Depe was inhabited continuously from the Chalcolithic period (4th–5th millennium BCE) through the early Iron Age. Findings include flint tools, ceramic fragments decorated with geometric patterns, clay and plaster spindle whorls, metal tools, and ornamental beads, indicating the early development of craftsmanship, weaving, and trade. Some artifacts — such as gilded pottery — likely arrived via caravans traveling the Great Silk Road, reflecting Turkmenistan’s ancient role as the crossroads of the “seven winds”. The settlement was later destroyed and looted during the Mongol invasion of Genghis Khan in 1220, marking the end of its ancient habitation. The fortifications of Parz-Depe embody the defensive character of early Turkmen civilization, built in response to centuries of regional conflicts. Ongoing archaeological excavations continue to reveal the city’s urban structure, allowing scholars to reconstruct its original form through comparative studies with other ancient sites in the Kopetdag foothills. Many of the discovered artifacts are now displayed in the Museum of the Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography in Ashgabat — a testament to the enduring legacy of Parz-Depe, the citadel of wind and time.

Tours Available