ankarammat

Ankarammat is an archaeological complex in the Anka Valley, dating to the Late Bronze Age. The site gives its name to a regional cultural tradition defined by material assemblages including architecture, pottery, and metalwork.

Situated on a gentle terrace beside the Tox River, the site covers several hectares. It was first mapped during a regional survey in 1956, with major excavations conducted from 1961 to 1974 under the direction of researchers from the University of Lyria. Subsequent campaigns have clarified chronology and function of the principal buildings.

The settlement comprises a central plaza, a fortified enclosure, multiple domestic compounds, and storage facilities. Building walls are mud-brick, with stone foundations in some units. Pottery includes painted ware and incised motifs; engraved seals indicate administrative activity. Metalwork includes copper items and simple alloy objects; beads and lithic debitage illustrate craft specialization. The spatial arrangement and artifact assemblage point to a planned community with centralized control and organized storage, as well as evidence of long-distance exchange networks.

Occupational phases span roughly 1400–1050 BCE, with a major reorganization around 1250 BCE and gradual decline leading to abandonment around 1050 BCE. The site provides important evidence for early urbanism in the valley and for regional interactions across contemporary cultures. It has contributed to debates about the emergence of centralized authority and ritual practices in Bronze Age settlements.

Ankarammat is protected as a cultural heritage site; fieldwork has yielded extensive archives for regional archaeology, with ongoing lithic, architectural, and environmental analyses. Access to the site is limited to guided visits and research permissions.