Takhti-Sangin (Oxus Temple)
Takhti Sangin · Takht-i Sangin · Temple of the Oxus · Takhti Sangin Ancient Town
Greco-Bactrian 3rd–2nd c BCE → Kushan 1st–4th c CE·Greco-Bactrian → Kushan Bactria (Amu Darya Oxus cult)·🇹🇯 Khatlon Province, Kabadiyan District, Takhti-Sangin plateau at confluence of Vakhsh (Oxus) and Panj Rivers forming Amu Darya, 60 km SW of Qabodiyon, Tajikistan
About
About Takhti-Sangin (Oxus Temple)
Takhti-Sangin — Hellenistic–Kushan temple city (3rd c BCE–4th c CE) at Vakhsh–Panj confluence forming Amu Darya (Oxus), excavated 1976–91 Pichikyan and Litvinsky (Academy Tadjik). Takhti-Sangin is the Temple of the Oxus: fortified ark 165×235 m with central 51×51 m temple (four-iwan with Oxus altar, Silenus Marsyas with Greek dedication to Oxus by Atrosokes), treasury with 5000+ Oxus Treasure–type votives (ivory, gold, silver). Greco-Bactrian then Kushan phases. Treasures include Greek statue, Atrosokes flute. Amu Darya Oxus sacred temple 300 km NE of Ai Khanoum.
Why it mattersOnly Oxus Temple on Amu Darya source — Temple of Oxus god with Greek dedication and Oxus Treasure votives
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Atrosokes dedication Greek–Bactrian identity?
Theories
- 01Oxus cult as Amu Darya river-god sovereignty per Holt
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 c BCE Greco-Bactrian foundation; Oxus temple 200–150 BCE
- Period
- Greco-Bactrian 3rd–2nd c BCE → Kushan 1st–4th c CE
- Culture
- Greco-Bactrian → Kushan Bactria (Amu Darya Oxus cult)
- Builders
- Greco-Bactrian kings and Kushan devotees of Oxus
- Purpose
- Oxus river god temple city at Amu Darya source confluence and Treasury (Oxus Treasure type) on Silk Road
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.280 BCE
Greco-Bactrian town founded
200–150 BCE
Oxus temple with Atrosokes Marsyas built
1976–91
Pichikyan–Litvinsky excavations reveal Treasury
On the ground
Structures & features
37.0989° N · 68.2847° E · 320 m · 2 mapped features
Temple of the Oxus (Four-Colonnade Temple)
temple51×51 m four-iwan temple with Oxus altar and Atrosokes dedication at centre
37.0999° N · 68.2839° ETreasury and Eastern Fort Wall
treasury5000+ votive treasury east of temple with ivory and gold, and fort wall
37.0974° N · 68.2858° E