Jeitun: Difference between revisions
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'''Jeitun''' (Djeitun) is an archaeological site of the [[Neolithic]] period in southern [[Turkmenistan]], about 30 kilometers |
'''Jeitun''' (Djeitun) is an archaeological site of the [[Neolithic]] period in southern [[Turkmenistan]], about 30 kilometers north of [[Ashgabat]] in the [[Kopet-Dag]] mountain range. The settlement was occupied from about 7200 to 4500 BC <ref> Vidale, Massimo, 2017. Treasures from the Oxus</ref> possibly with short interruptions.<ref>Harris, 1997, p. 29</ref> Jeitun has given its name to the whole Neolithic period in the foothills of the Kopet Dag. |
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==Excavations== |
==Excavations== |
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{{History of Turkmenistan}} |
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Jeitun was discovered by |
Jeitun was discovered by [[Alexander Marushchenko]] and has been excavated since the 1950s by [[Boris Kuftin]] and [[Mikhail Masson]]. |
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The site covers an area of about 5,000 square meters. It consists of free-standing houses of a uniform ground plan. The houses were rectangular and had a large fireplace on one side and a niche facing it as well as adjacent yard areas. The floors were covered with lime plaster. The buildings were made of sun-dried cylindrical clay blocks about 70 cm long and 20 cm thick. The clay was mixed with finely chopped straw. |
The site covers an area of about 5,000 square meters. It consists of free-standing houses of a uniform ground plan. The houses were rectangular and had a large fireplace on one side and a niche facing it as well as adjacent yard areas. The floors were covered with lime plaster. The buildings were made of sun-dried cylindrical clay blocks about 70 cm long and 20 cm thick. The clay was mixed with finely chopped straw. |
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The people of the Jeitun culture were growing [[barley]] and two sorts of [[wheat]], which were harvested with wooden or bone knives or sickles with stone blades. Stone handmills and other stone tools were found. The site seems to show the oldest evidence of arable farming in Central Asia. |
The people of the Jeitun culture were growing [[barley]] and two sorts of [[wheat]], which were harvested with wooden or bone knives or sickles with stone blades. Stone handmills and other stone tools were found. The site seems to show the oldest evidence of arable farming in Central Asia. |
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Sheep and goats were already domesticated by the villagers |
Sheep and goats were already domesticated by the villagers, but they also hunted to supplement their diet.<ref name="auto"/> The results of the research by David R. Harris show that, in this region, there were none of the wild forms of [[einkorn]] or [[barley]] that could have been used for domestication, so these were brought from elsewhere already domesticated. The same applies to sheep. The wild goat [[Capra aegagrus]], on the other hand, was widespread in Central Asia and could, therefore, have been domesticated in the area.<ref>Harris, 1997, p. 30</ref> |
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Various types of Jeitun artefacts, such as clay figurines, decorated ceramics, and small stone axes, show similarities with those of the Neolithic sites in the [[Zagros |
Various types of the earliest Jeitun artefacts, such as clay figurines, decorated ceramics, and small stone axes, show similarities with those of the early agricultural Neolithic sites in the [[Zagros Mountains]], such as [[Jarmo]] (Iraq). This may indicate the movements of the Neolithic people from the Levant to Central Asia, via the Zagros Mountains. |
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It is possible that the later Jeitun influence expanded to the south, across the Kopet Dag mountains to [[Kermanshah Province]] and [[Luristan]], to the sites such as [[Tepe Guran]], [[Tepe Sarab]], and [[Ganj Dareh]]. |
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==Jeitun culture== |
==Jeitun culture== |
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There are about twenty archaeological sites attributed to the Jeitun culture, and they are found on both sides of the Kopet Dag mountains. They are especially common in the south-west Turkestani foothills of the mountains. The sites extend west as far as [[Shahrud, Iran]], and also east to the [[Tedjen river]] that flows north from [[Afghanistan]].<ref name=JC/> |
There are about twenty archaeological sites attributed to the Jeitun culture, and they are found on both sides of the Kopet Dag mountains. They are especially common in the south-west Turkestani foothills of the mountains. The sites extend west as far as [[Shahrud, Iran]], and also east to the [[Tedjen river]] that flows north from [[Afghanistan]].<ref name=JC/> |
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Two other early Jeitun sites Chopan and [[Togolok]] are located nearby.<ref>Fredrik T. Hiebert, Kakamurad Kurbansakhatov, [https://books.google.com/books?id=MQgigzFKyGYC&pg=PA15 A Central Asian Village at the Dawn of Civilization: Excavations at Anau, Turkmenistan.] University of Pennsylvania Press, 2011, {{ISBN|1934536237}} p15</ref> |
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It is possible to follow the development of human habitats in southern Turkmenistan from Paleolithic times to the present. Some of the earliest traces of agriculture in Central Asia were discovered some 20 miles (32 km) north of Ashgabat in the Neolithic Jeitun civilization, which may be dated to the 5th millennium bce. The Jeitun civilization was followed by a series of other Neolithic cultures, and a cultural unification of southern Turkmenistan occurred in the Early Bronze Age (2500–2000 bce). During the course of the following half millennium, some urban centres were created; the ruins of Namazga-Tepe cover approximately 145 acres (60 hectares). From about the mid-3rd century bce to the Sāsānian conquest in the 4th century ce, Turkmenistan formed part of the Parthian empire (see Parthia).Into this land came, probably in the 11th century, the Turkmens, strangers, as it were, with no links to any previous civilization of the region. Contemporary historians did not distinguish them from the Oghuz, a loose confederation of Turkic tribes present in the region since the 9th century. Turkmens came under the rule of the Seljuq dynasty (1038–1194) of Oghuz tribes, and they weathered the Mongol invasions (13th century) quite well; the southern tribes became part of the Il-Khanid empire, and the northern tribes belonged to the Golden Horde. One of the Turkmens’ principal occupations for centuries after the decline of Mongol rule was robbing passing caravans.(https://www.britannica.com/place/Turkmenistan/Cultural-life#ref599034) maftuna |
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[[Monjukli Depe]] is another site where Jeitun culture artifacts have been discovered. It is quite important for establishing the regional chronology. |
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Jeitun period of Turkmenistan was followed by the [[Anau culture]]. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[Mergarh]] |
*[[Mergarh]] |
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*[[Ulug Depe]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
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7. https://www.britannica.com/place/Turkmenistan/Cultural-life#ref599034 |
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==Bibliography== |
==Bibliography== |
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* David R. Harris: ''Jeitun and the transition to agriculture in Central Asia''. In:'' Archaeology International 1'', 1997, S. 28–31, {{ |
* David R. Harris: ''Jeitun and the transition to agriculture in Central Asia''. In:'' Archaeology International 1'', 1997, S. 28–31, {{doi|10.5334/ai.0109}} |
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* V. Sarianidi: ''Food-producing and other Neolithic communities in Khorasan and Transoxania: eastern Iran, Soviet Central Asia and Afghanistan''. In: A. H. Dani, V. M. Masson (Hrsg.): ''History of civilizations of Central Asia'', Bd. 1. 1992, S. 109–126. |
* V. Sarianidi: ''Food-producing and other Neolithic communities in Khorasan and Transoxania: eastern Iran, Soviet Central Asia and Afghanistan''. In: A. H. Dani, V. M. Masson (Hrsg.): ''History of civilizations of Central Asia'', Bd. 1. 1992, S. 109–126. |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.geschkult.fu-berlin.de/en/e/vaa/Ausgrabungen/monjukli_depe/index.html Monjukli Depe (Turkmenistan)] with area map during Neolithic |
*[http://www.geschkult.fu-berlin.de/en/e/vaa/Ausgrabungen/monjukli_depe/index.html Monjukli Depe (Turkmenistan)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027144542/http://www.geschkult.fu-berlin.de/en/e/vaa/Ausgrabungen/monjukli_depe/index.html |date=2018-10-27 }} with area map during Neolithic |
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*N.S. Byashimova, [https://en.unesco.org/silkroad/sites/silkroad/files/knowledge-bank-article/1%20Turkmenistan%E2%80%99s%20studio%20Pottery_3.pdf Turkmenistan’s studio Pottery: Neolithic, eneolithic, and bronze ages.] unesco.org |
*N.S. Byashimova, [https://en.unesco.org/silkroad/sites/silkroad/files/knowledge-bank-article/1%20Turkmenistan%E2%80%99s%20studio%20Pottery_3.pdf Turkmenistan’s studio Pottery: Neolithic, eneolithic, and bronze ages.] unesco.org |
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*Jack Cassin (2000), [http://www.weavingartmuseum.org/ex3_prehist.htm A Brief Outline to the Archaeological Pre-History of Turkmenistan.] weavingartmuseum.org |
*Jack Cassin (2000), [http://www.weavingartmuseum.org/ex3_prehist.htm A Brief Outline to the Archaeological Pre-History of Turkmenistan.] weavingartmuseum.org |
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[[Category:Tells (archaeology)]] |
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[[Category:Neolithic sites of Asia]] |
[[Category:Neolithic sites of Asia]] |
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[[Category:Archaeological sites in Turkmenistan]] |
[[Category:Archaeological sites in Turkmenistan]] |
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Latest revision as of 23:51, 4 September 2024
Jeýtun | |
 | |
  Location in Turkmenistan  Jeitun (West and Central Asia) | |
| Alternative name | Djeitun; Jeytun |
|---|---|
| Location | Kopet Dag |
| History | |
| Cultures | Jeitun culture |
Jeitun (Djeitun) is an archaeological site of the Neolithic period in southern Turkmenistan, about 30 kilometers north of Ashgabat in the Kopet-Dag mountain range. The settlement was occupied from about 7200 to 4500 BC [1] possibly with short interruptions.[2] Jeitun has given its name to the whole Neolithic period in the foothills of the Kopet Dag.
Excavations
[edit]| History of Turkmenistan |
|---|
.jpg) |
 Turkmenistan portal |
Jeitun was discovered by Alexander Marushchenko and has been excavated since the 1950s by Boris Kuftin and Mikhail Masson.
The site covers an area of about 5,000 square meters. It consists of free-standing houses of a uniform ground plan. The houses were rectangular and had a large fireplace on one side and a niche facing it as well as adjacent yard areas. The floors were covered with lime plaster. The buildings were made of sun-dried cylindrical clay blocks about 70 cm long and 20 cm thick. The clay was mixed with finely chopped straw.
There were about 30 houses that could have accommodated about 150–200 persons.[3]
Clay figurines found in Mehrgarh (Pakistan), an important precursor to the Indus Valley Civilization, resemble those discovered at Teppe Zagheh, and at Jeitun.[4]
Agriculture
[edit]The people of the Jeitun culture were growing barley and two sorts of wheat, which were harvested with wooden or bone knives or sickles with stone blades. Stone handmills and other stone tools were found. The site seems to show the oldest evidence of arable farming in Central Asia.
Sheep and goats were already domesticated by the villagers, but they also hunted to supplement their diet.[3] The results of the research by David R. Harris show that, in this region, there were none of the wild forms of einkorn or barley that could have been used for domestication, so these were brought from elsewhere already domesticated. The same applies to sheep. The wild goat Capra aegagrus, on the other hand, was widespread in Central Asia and could, therefore, have been domesticated in the area.[5]
Various types of the earliest Jeitun artefacts, such as clay figurines, decorated ceramics, and small stone axes, show similarities with those of the early agricultural Neolithic sites in the Zagros Mountains, such as Jarmo (Iraq). This may indicate the movements of the Neolithic people from the Levant to Central Asia, via the Zagros Mountains.
It is possible that the later Jeitun influence expanded to the south, across the Kopet Dag mountains to Kermanshah Province and Luristan, to the sites such as Tepe Guran, Tepe Sarab, and Ganj Dareh.
Jeitun culture
[edit]Jeitun culture may have begun prior to 7000 BC, judging by the age of Sang-i Chakmak, the earliest settlement where such artefacts are found. In the same area of the Gorgan Plain, other related sites are Yarim Tepe (Iran), and Tureng Tepe.[6]
There are about twenty archaeological sites attributed to the Jeitun culture, and they are found on both sides of the Kopet Dag mountains. They are especially common in the south-west Turkestani foothills of the mountains. The sites extend west as far as Shahrud, Iran, and also east to the Tedjen river that flows north from Afghanistan.[6]
Two other early Jeitun sites Chopan and Togolok are located nearby.[7]
Monjukli Depe is another site where Jeitun culture artifacts have been discovered. It is quite important for establishing the regional chronology.
Jeitun period of Turkmenistan was followed by the Anau culture.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Vidale, Massimo, 2017. Treasures from the Oxus
- ^ Harris, 1997, p. 29
- ^ a b Harris, 1997, pp. 29–30
- ^ Jarrige C (2008) The figurines of the first farmers at Mehrgarh and their offshoots. Pragdhara 18: 155–166
- ^ Harris, 1997, p. 30
- ^ a b Jack Cassin (2000), A Brief Outline to the Archaeological Pre-History of Turkmenistan. weavingartmuseum.org
- ^ Fredrik T. Hiebert, Kakamurad Kurbansakhatov, A Central Asian Village at the Dawn of Civilization: Excavations at Anau, Turkmenistan. University of Pennsylvania Press, 2011, ISBN 1934536237 p15
Bibliography
[edit]- David R. Harris: Jeitun and the transition to agriculture in Central Asia. In: Archaeology International 1, 1997, S. 28–31, doi:10.5334/ai.0109
- V. Sarianidi: Food-producing and other Neolithic communities in Khorasan and Transoxania: eastern Iran, Soviet Central Asia and Afghanistan. In: A. H. Dani, V. M. Masson (Hrsg.): History of civilizations of Central Asia, Bd. 1. 1992, S. 109–126.
External links
[edit]- Monjukli Depe (Turkmenistan) Archived 2018-10-27 at the Wayback Machine with area map during Neolithic
- N.S. Byashimova, Turkmenistan’s studio Pottery: Neolithic, eneolithic, and bronze ages. unesco.org
- Jack Cassin (2000), A Brief Outline to the Archaeological Pre-History of Turkmenistan. weavingartmuseum.org