La Protohistoria en Asia Central, entre las edades del Bronce y del Hierro. Nuevas investigaciones arqueológicas entre el Uzbekistán y el Turkmenistán
Abstract
During the Bronze age appeared the Bactria-Margiana archaeological Complex or Oxus Civilisation. the discoveries in several sites testify to the development of complex cities, surrounded by fortification walls, including living quarters, storage, and handicrafts areas, and with more notable buildings—interpreted as palaces and temples— reflecting strong social hierarchies. the finest arts and crafts are associated with this urbanism, including mainly metallurgy, working of fine stones, and very standardized pottery production. all these elements situate these cities within a larger exchange network including the neighbouring civilisations of Mesopotamina, the indus Valley and the iranian Plateau. around 1500 BCE a major cultural, economic and ideological shift happened in southern Central asia, leading to the disappearance of the Bactria-Margiana archaeological Complex and to the beginning of the iron age. One of its most impressive consequence is a radical transformation of the settlement pattern that witnesses a fragmentation of the settlements, with small villages replacing large proto-urban sites, and an extension to new areas.