The history of Ulug-depe, which is one of the biggest archaeological monuments located near Dushak settlement, Kaahka etrap, Ahal velayat, is in the centre of attention of the author. French scientists work for almost 20 years at the excavations and performed great volume of studies for these years together with their Turkmen colleagues. They have shown political and economic importance of ancient culture, which appeared in the part of the planet 6,000 years ago, in the Bronze epoch, and continued existing until the Iron age.
There were several oases, which have been irrigated by numerous springs from the mountains, in fertile valley between the Kopetdag and Karakum Desert. The Ulug-depe oasis was distinguished among them with its area - it used to stretch for 25 kilometres from south to north and longevity. While neighbouring oases were abandoned by the tenants by some reasons, residents of Ulug-depe continued cultivating fields and breed livestock. They have left undying memory in the form of magnificent stone and ceramic articles, which serve as decorations of collections in Ashgabat and Ahal velayat.
The article narrates in details about the brightest and impressing archaeological findings, carefully restored artefacts and scientific and educational activity of French – Turkmen mission MAFTOUR, which was founded by recently passed out French scientist, Prefossor Olivier Leconte.
Archéologia is a monthly magazine in French language, which has been published for 58 years. It highlights new discoveries and excavations in France and all over the world as well as dossiers and reports about civilizations, historical place and monuments, which were the subjects of recent exhibitions and conferences. Today, archaeology is in the centre of attention of unprecedented world network of specialists and have never been such current. That is why such magazines are the orientations for researchers and enthusiasts all over the world.
