Takhti-Sangin and the Oxus Treasure: A Glimpse into Ancient Bactria

Takhti-Sangin is an archaeological site situated approximately 34 km from the town of Qabodiyon, in the Khatlon region of southern Tajikistan. Located near the confluence of the Vakhsh and Panj rivers, this area holds significant historical importance due to its association with ancient Bactria and the discovery of the renowned Oxus Treasure.

Discovery of the Oxus Treasure

In 1877, local residents unearthed a remarkable hoard near Takhti-Kubat, situated on the right bank of the Amu Darya (historically known as the Oxus River). This treasure comprised over 2,000 gold and silver coins, along with exquisite gold artifacts dating back to the Achaemenid and Greco-Bactrian periods. The items were initially sold to three merchants from Bukhara, who intended to transport them to North India (modern-day Pakistan). However, during their journey, the caravan was intercepted by nomads from the Afghan Gilzai tribe. Subsequently, a portion of the treasure was recovered and eventually sold to representatives of the British administration in Rawalpindi. These artifacts were later transferred to the British Museum in London, where they are collectively known as the Oxus Treasure.

Takhti-Sangin: The Oxus Temple

In 1976, Soviet archaeologists initiated excavations at Takhti-Sangin, revealing a stone settlement that included a central temple structure. This temple, identified as the Oxus Temple, was constructed during the 4th–3rd centuries BCE and remained in use until the 1st century CE, corresponding to the Kushan period. The temple complex covered an area of 51 x 51 meters and featured a sanctuary surrounded by auxiliary buildings and courtyards.

Among the numerous artifacts uncovered were:

• A raised bust of Alexander the Great depicted in the guise of Hercules.
• A sword sheath engraved with an image of a lion capturing a fallow deer.
• Over 5,000 arrowheads, representing the largest collection of such items from the Greco-Bactrian era in Central Asia.
• Items of weaponry and Greco-Macedonian military equipment.
• A gilded-bronze helmet fragment, creating the illusion of solid gold.

Additionally, a small stone altar adorned with a bronze figure of the Greek god Marsyas, playing a double-barrelled flute, was discovered. The accompanying inscription in ancient Greek reads: “According to a vow, Atrosok devoted to Oxus.” Atrosok is believed to be a Bactrian individual’s name, possibly a fire-priest (Zoroastrian), indicating the syncretic nature of religious practices at the site.

Syncretism of Religious Traditions

The Oxus Temple at Takhti-Sangin is notable for its fusion of local Bactrian (Zoroastrian) and Greek religious traditions. Artifacts suggest the simultaneous veneration of both fire and water deities, reflecting the cultural and religious amalgamation characteristic of the region during the Hellenistic period.

The Oxus Treasure and Its Significance

The Oxus Treasure comprises a collection of 521 gold and silver coins and 176 gold and silver artifacts, including sheath linings, garments, decorations, bracelets, plates, statuettes of animals, engraved plates, and other items. These artifacts primarily date from the 4th–3rd centuries BCE and were crafted in Western Iran and Asia Minor. The presence of Bactrian-made items among the treasure suggests they arrived in North Bactria through various means, possibly as spoils of war following Alexander the Great’s campaigns or as gifts to Bactrian soldiers.​

The discovery of the Oxus Treasure and the subsequent excavations at Takhti-Sangin have provided invaluable insights into the cultural and religious dynamics of ancient Bactria, highlighting the region’s role as a crossroads of civilizations.

Current Exhibitions

Artifacts from the Oxus Treasure and the Oxus Temple are currently housed in the British Museum in London and the National Museum of Antiquities of Tajikistan in Dushanbe. These collections offer a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of ancient Central Asia and continue to be a source of scholarly interest and public fascination. For those interested in exploring the rich history of ancient Bactria, a visit to the National Museum of Antiquities in Dushanbe offers an opportunity to view artifacts from the Oxus Treasure and learn more about the region’s fascinating past.