BactriaMargiana

Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC), also known as the Oxus civilization, is a Bronze Age archaeological culture of Central Asia dating to roughly 2300–1700 BCE. It covered parts of present-day Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, centering on the Murghab and Amu Darya (Oxus) basins in the regions historically known as Bactria and Margiana.

The complex was first characterized in the late 20th century after extensive excavations conducted by Viktor Sarianidi, who identified monumental sites such as Gonur Depe and other related mounds in Turkmenistan and nearby areas. BMAC settlements exhibit evidence of planned urban layouts, walled compounds, temple-like structures, and large granaries, indicating centralized organization and storage. Craft production, metallurgy, and distinctive pottery mark the material culture.

BMAC people engaged in long-distance exchange, as evidenced by imported or non-local goods and raw materials. Artifacts such as beads of lapis lazuli and carnelian, along with metal objects, point to networks linking Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and regions of Central Asia.

The BMAC declined around 1700 BCE, with sites abandoned or reoccupied at lower levels in subsequent centuries. Causes remain debated, but climate fluctuations, drought, social change, and disruptions to trade are considered possible factors. The BMAC is significant for understanding early urbanism in Central Asia and for discussions about connections among Bronze Age cultures of the Eurasian steppe and their roles in shaping later Central Asian populations.