Köne Sarahs — The Ancient Crossroads of Civilizations

About This Destination

Köne Sarahs (Old Sarakhs) is one of Turkmenistan’s most significant archaeological and historical sites, dating back to the 6th–4th centuries BCE and continuously inhabited until the 19th century CE. It is located about 1.5 km east of modern Sarahs city, in the Ahal Region, near the border with Iran.

History

The ancient city covers an area of around 120 hectares and consists of three main parts: Erkgala (Citadel) — a pentagon-shaped fortress (320×360 m) rising 24 meters high, with a single gate on the eastern wall. Shähristan (Inner City) — a rectangular settlement (340×560 m, walls up to 12 m high) containing three gates. Rabat (Outer Town) — the suburban area surrounding the city on all sides, extending 300–400 m outward and up to 1 km on the eastern side. Archaeological excavations conducted by Turkmen–Polish teams (1995–2000) revealed continuous layers of habitation from the early 1st millennium BCE to the 1830s, proving the city’s long-standing cultural and economic role on ancient trade routes. Today, Köne Sarahs is considered a unique archaeological monument, reflecting the architectural evolution of Central Asian urban design and the resilience of Turkmen civilization through millennia.

Tours Available