Dalverzin Tepe
Hellenistic to Kushan (c.3rd cent BCE–4th cent CE, Kushan peak 1st–3rd cent CE)·Kushan (northern Bactria/Tokharistan)·🇺🇿 Surxondaryo Region, Surkhan Darya valley near Denau, 60 km NE of Termez, Uzbekistan
About
About Dalverzin Tepe
Northern Bactrian Kushan city 60 km northeast of Termez on Surkhan Darya, excavated 1960s by G. Pugachenkova. Hellenistic fortress develops into 25 ha Kushan walled city with Buddhist temples and sculpture workshop producing Gandharan-style stucco Buddhas, yielding data on northern Bactria–Tokharistan art under Kushan 1st–3rd cent CE, superseded by Zar Tepe.
Why it mattersNorthern Bactrian Kushan walled city with Gandharan stucco Buddha workshop
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Hellenistic antecedent vs Kushan foundation date?
- 02Dalverzin–Zar Tepe succession
Theories
- 01Surkhan Bactrian Kushan urban corridor: Termez–Dalverzin–Zar Tepe chain
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.3rd cent BCE (Greek fortress)
- Period
- Hellenistic to Kushan (c.3rd cent BCE–4th cent CE, Kushan peak 1st–3rd cent CE)
- Culture
- Kushan (northern Bactria/Tokharistan)
- Builders
- Kushan sculptors and monks
- Purpose
- Northern Bactrian Kushan city with Buddhist sculpture
- Abandoned
- c.4th cent CE
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.3rd cent BCE (Greek fortress)
Initial construction
c. 1109 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
38.1011° N · 67.8606° E · 500 m · 2 mapped features
Kushan walled citadel
citadelEnclosing walls with Kushan reconstruction over Hellenistic fortress
38.1014° N · 67.8609° EBuddhist temple and sculpture workshop
temple complexStucco Buddha production debris and monastic cells
38.1008° N · 67.8603° E
Gallery