Bactrian Division

A relatively recent identification of an urban civilisation follows research conducted by Russian archaeologists in Afghanistan and the Asian Republics of the former USSR. These communities, known as Bactria and Margiana developed in the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC. Archaeological expeditions by teams from Western and Far Eastern countries are currently involved in researching the evolution of the sedentary and nomadic communities associated with Central Asia from the Neolithic to the Islamic period.

The geographical location and the environmental context are important in understanding the development of the Bronze Age communities in Bactria and Margiana. These regions are surrounded to the east and south by the mountain chains of the Pamirs, the Hindu-Kush and Kopet Dag. Reserves of water accumulate there which periodically fills the river valleys, forming alluvial plains. The river Amu-Darya (Oxus) in Bactria and the Murgab and Tedzhen (Harirud) has created these fertile plains which befitted the development of the agricultural and pastoral communities being rediscovered there. However the socio-economic development of a region cannot only be explained by the presence of water resources. The scarcity of additional resources in these areas saw an increased integration of more sophisticated aspects of social organisation.
In both Bactria and Margiana there is a scarcity of data concerning the population during the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age up to 2500 BC. In the Middle Bronze Age (2500 – 1800 BC) we start to see the beginnings of a population that shared a common settlement system, similar forms of architectural complexes, and similarities in material culture.

It is believed that the prophet Zoroaster found his first followers in Bactria, and he is said to have died there. Bactria became an important province of the Archaemenid Empire, and after the conquests of Alexander the Great it became the centre of an independent Greek Kingdom. The kingdom lasted until 128 BC, when northern nomads overran it. Bactria then became part of the Kushan Empire and remained so until the 4th century AD, when Sassanian governors became its rulers. The nomadic Hephthalites (White Huns) took control in the following century, ruling until the Arab conquest at the end of the 7th century.

Image Code PB36

Catalogue No.: PB36 Description: Bactrian / Western Asiatic Carved Calcite Stone Bowl, Mid 3rd millennium BC. Magnificent translucent veined-calcite scalloped bowl of monumental proportions, the bowl carved from one piece of stone in meticulous detail and in floriate style possessing some 15 delicate everted scallops, the bowl giving the overall impression of an open blossom. It is likely such a bowl would have been commissioned for ritual use in an important temple or court setting. Size: 500 X 180mm.

Image Code PB37

Catalogue No.: PB37 Description: Bactrian / Western Asiatic Carved Alabaster Vase, Mid 3rd millennium BC. Superbly styled and carved vase of large proportions, the vase with a slender base and everted top. Size: 197 X 310mm.

Image Code PB38

Catalogue No.: PB38 Description: Bactrian / Western Asiatic Carved Alabaster Vase, Mid 3rd millennium BC. Superbly styled and carved vase of large proportions, the vase with a slender base and everted top. Size: 186 X 280mm.

Image Code PB39 Image Code PB39a

Catalogue No.: PB39 Description: Bactrian / Western Asiatic Carved Alabaster Vase, Mid 3rd millennium BC. Superbly styled and carved vase of large proportions, the vase with a slender base and everted top. Size: 143 X 240mm.

Image Code PB40

Catalogue No.: PB40 Description: Bactrian / Western Asiatic Carved Alabaster Vase, Mid 3rd millennium BC. Superbly vase of unusual form, the body of squared-off cubic proportions. Size: 148 X 156mm.

Image Code PB33

Catalogue No.: PB33 Description: Proto-Bactrian Ritual Stone - Stylised Quadruped, c. Late 3rd – Early 2nd millennium BC. Size: 125 X 210mm.

Image Code PB30

Catalogue No.: PB30 Description: Proto-Bactrian Ritual Stone Weight, c. Late 3rd – Early 2nd millennium BC. Size: 330 X 340mm.

Image Code PB34

Catalogue No.: PB34 Description: Proto-Bactrian Ritual Stone Weight, c. Late 3rd – Early 2nd millennium BC. Size: 255 X 250mm.

Image Code PB35

Catalogue No.: PB35 Description: Proto-Bactrian Ritual Stone Idol, c. Late 3rd – Early 2nd millennium BC. Size: 385 X 100mm.

Image Code PB42

Catalogue No.: PB42 Description: Bactrian / Western Asiatic Carved Chlorite Jar, Mid 3rd millennium BC. Superb jar of the trans-Elamite style, probably imported into Bactriana / Margiane in antiquity. The vase features a carved decoration or lintel curves and an architectural motif considered to replicate the façade of a Chaldean house, with walls made from mounds of brick, palm-tree posts bound together using interlaced rush, and the doors, windows and porch covered with matting. The stone, more correctly called serpentinite, is a rock consisting of steatite (talc), chlorites and serpentine. Size: 87 X 57mm.

Image Code PB32

Catalogue No.: PB32 Description: Proto-Bactrian Ritual Alabaster Chalice, c. Late 3rd – Early 2nd millennium BC. Size: 190 X 100mm.

Image Code PB44

Catalogue No.: PB44 Description: Bactrian / Western Asiatic Carved Chlorite Jar, Mid 3rd millennium BC. Superb jar of the trans-Elamite style, probably imported into Bactria / Margiana in antiquity. The vase features a carved decoration or lintel curves and an architectural motif considered to replicate the façade of a Chaldean house, with walls made from mounds of brick, palm-tree posts bound together using interlaced rush, and the doors, windows and porch covered with matting. The stone, more correctly called serpentinite, is a rock consisting of steatite (talc), chlorites and serpentine. Size: 79 X 60mm.

Image Code PB41

Catalogue No.: PB41 Description: Pro Bactrian Ivory Ritual Dagger. 4th-3rd Millennium BC. Size: 180 X 33mm.

Image Code PB68

Catalogue No.: PB68 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Cress or Tunic Pins / Implements (x45) . Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 45 pieces. Size: 220 to 95mm.

Image Code PB31

Catalogue No.: PB31 Description: Proto-Bactrian Ritual Stone Knucklebone Weight, c. Late 3rd – Early 2nd millennium BC. Size: 160 X 90mm.

Image Code PB67

Catalogue No.: PB67 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Cress or Tunic Pins / Implements (x22) . Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 22 pieces. Size: 190 to 100mm.

Image Code PB45

Catalogue No.: PB45 Description: Proto-Bactrian Marble Kohl Vessel. 3rd-2nd millennium BC. Elegant four-sided vessel with flat top and base and with much of the contents preserved intact. The dark galena-based kohl was popularly used in ancient times as a form of cosmetic eye paint and probably also had religious and symbolic significance, as well as being a natural disinfectant and a means of protecting the eyes from bright sunlight. Marble. Afghanistan/Uzbekistan. Size: 121 X 43mm.

Image Code PB43

Catalogue No.: PB43 Description: Bactrian / Western Asiatic Carved Chlorite Jar, Mid 3rd millennium BC. Smooth-walled jar carved from serpentinite, which is a rock consisting of steatite (talc), chlorites and serpentine. Size: 160 X 84mm.

Image Code PB07

Catalogue No.: PB07 Description: Proto-Bactrian Reliquary Object. Late 3rd to early 2nd millennium BC. Cream coloured clay moulded circular ritual rattle with double sided depiction of a star (the sky). Typically a stone or crystal, such as gypsum, was contained within the object, which was used as a ritual or magical rattle. Fine clay; 68mm. Pamir Ranges, North East Afghanistan/South East Tajikistan. Size: 65mm dia.

Image Code PB60

Catalogue No.: PB60 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Bracelet / Armlet Pairs (x6). Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 6 pieces. 12 pieces. Size: ~65 X 60mm.

Image Code PB63

Catalogue No.: PB63 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Bracelets / Armlets (x7). Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 7 pieces. Size: 87 X 80 to 62 x 57mm.

Image Code PB66

Catalogue No.: PB66 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Pins / Implements (x5) . Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 5 pieces. Size: 180 to 100mm.

Image Code PB03

Catalogue No.: PB03 Description: Bactrian Surgical Probe / Scalpel Instrument. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 230 X 23mm.

Image Code PB58

Catalogue No.: PB58 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Bracelet / Armlet Pairs (x3). Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 6 pieces. Size: ~65 X 65mm.

Image Code PB59

Catalogue No.: PB59 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Bracelet / Armlet Pairs (x3). Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 6 pieces. Size: ~60 X 65mm.

Image Code PB01

Catalogue No.: PB01 Description: Bactrian Cosmetic (Kohl) Applicator. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 55 X 14mm.

Image Code PB02

Catalogue No.: PB02 Description: Bactrian Dress Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 275 X 17mm.

Image Code PB04

Catalogue No.: PB04 Description: Bactrian Dress Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 198 X 46mm.

Image Code PB05

Catalogue No.: PB05 Description: Bactrian Dress Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 139 X 25mm.

Image Code PB06

Catalogue No.: PB06 Description: Dress Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 151 X 20mm.

Image Code PB08

Catalogue No.: PB08 Description: Bactrian Needle. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 140 X 4mm.

Image Code PB09

Catalogue No.: PB09 Description: Bactrian Needle. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 115 X 4mm.

Image Code PB10

Catalogue No.: PB10 Description: Bactrian Needle. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 150 X 6mm.

Image Code PB11

Catalogue No.: PB11 Description: Bactrian Needle. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 110 X 5mm.

Image Code PB12

Catalogue No.: PB12 Description: Bactrian Bronze Bird Finial. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 9 X 32mm.

Image Code PB13

Catalogue No.: PB13 Description: Bactrian Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 82 X 5mm.

Image Code PB14

Catalogue No.: PB14 Description: Bactrian Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 104 X 4mm.

Image Code PB15

Catalogue No.: PB15 Description: Bactrian Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 90 X 3mm.

Image Code PB16

Catalogue No.: PB16 Description: Bactrian Needle. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 96 X 7mm.

Image Code PB17

Catalogue No.: PB17 Description: Bactrian Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 101 X 7mm.

Image Code PB18

Catalogue No.: PB18 Description: Bactrian Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 112 X 3mm.

Image Code PB19

Catalogue No.: PB19 Description: Bactrian Needle. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 108 X 7mm.

Image Code PB20

Catalogue No.: PB20 Description: Bactrian Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 111 X 8mm.

Image Code PB21

Catalogue No.: PB21 Description: Bactrian Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 162 X 10mm.

Image Code PB22

Catalogue No.: PB22 Description: Bactrian Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 200 X 9mm.

Image Code PB23

Catalogue No.: PB23 Description: Bactrian Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 113 X 6mm.

Image Code PB24

Catalogue No.: PB24 Description: Bactrian Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 167 X 9mm.

Image Code PB25

Catalogue No.: PB25 Description: Bactrian Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 144 X 7mm.

Image Code PB26

Catalogue No.: PB26 Description: Bactrian Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 133 X 10mm.

Image Code PB27

Catalogue No.: PB27 Description: Bactrian Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 136 X 6mm.

Image Code PB28

Catalogue No.: PB28 Description: Bactrian Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 112 X 21mm.

Image Code PB29

Catalogue No.: PB29 Description: Bactrian Pin. 2nd - 1st millennium BC. Size: 132 X 8mm.

Image Code PB46

Catalogue No.: PB46 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Bracelet / Armlet Pair. Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 2 pieces. Size: 79 X 73, 72 X 69mm.

Image Code PB47

Catalogue No.: PB47 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Bracelet / Armlet Pair. Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 2 pieces. Size: 68 X 59mm.

Image Code PB48

Catalogue No.: PB48 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Bracelet / Armlet Pair. Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 2 pieces. Size: 65 X 55mm.

Image Code PB49

Catalogue No.: PB49 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Bracelet / Armlet Pair. Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 2 pieces. Size: 63 X 59mm.

Image Code PB50

Catalogue No.: PB50 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Earring Pair. Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 2 pieces. Size: 53 X 50mm.

Image Code PB51

Catalogue No.: PB51 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Bracelet / Armlet Pair. Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 2 pieces. Size: 66 X 60mm.

Image Code PB52

Catalogue No.: PB52 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Bracelet / Armlet Pair. Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 2 pieces. Size: 72 X 70, 70 X 68mm.

Image Code PB53

Catalogue No.: PB53 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Bracelet / Armlet Pair. Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 2 pieces. Size: 69 X 62, 66 X 60mm.

Image Code PB54

Catalogue No.: PB54 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Bracelet / Armlet Pair. Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 2 pieces. Size: 57 X 52mm.

Image Code PB55

Catalogue No.: PB55 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Bracelet / Armlet Pair. Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 2 pieces. Size: 82 X 80mm.

Image Code PB56

Catalogue No.: PB56 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Bracelet / Armlet Pair. Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 2 pieces. Size: 65 X 60mm.

Image Code PB57

Catalogue No.: PB57 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Bracelet / Armlet Pair. Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 2 pieces. Size: 54 X 49mm.

Image Code PB61

Catalogue No.: PB61 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Bracelets / Armlets (x5). Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 5 pieces. Size: 80 X 75 to 50 X 55mm.

Image Code PB62

Catalogue No.: PB62 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Bracelets / Armlets (x4). Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 4 pieces. Size: 60 X 50 to 35 x 40mm.

Image Code PB64

Catalogue No.: PB64 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Iron Bracelet / Armlet. Luristan / Bactriana, c. 7th century BC. Size: 83mm dia.

Image Code PB65

Catalogue No.: PB65 Description: Ancient Near Eastern Bronze Needles (x3) . Luristan / Bactriana, c. 1st millennium BC. 3 pieces. Size: 155mm.

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