1 101 X In the Kopet Dag region of Turkmenia, farming began before 5000 BC. Small towns developed here, relying on a precarious irrigation system. This collapsed after 2000 BC, at a time when Indo-European nomads were also moving into the area. New communities emerged, with impressive fortified sites.
#Turkmenia
2 102 B The sands of the Tarim Basin have preserved a remarkable range of ancient organic remains, including the mummified bodies of many individuals buried about 4000 years ago. Physically these people resemble Europeans and it is thought that they were part of the great movement which introduced Indo-European languages to this area.
#Tarim Basin Mummies, Archaeology
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#Who were the Indo-Europeans?
4 102 A Maikop is the earliest known in a long line of princely burials associated with pastoral nomads. It is situated south of copper deposits that were being mined before 1000 BC. This silver vessel from the burial bears a map of the landscape (one of the earliest known in the world).
#Maikop
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#Horse domestication
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#Wheeled Vehicles and Nomadism
7 101 X Before 2000 BC, the region bordering on the steppe was inhabited by groups who herded and hunted animals and grew crops, and buried their dead in impressive barrows. Gradually they came to rely more heavily on their animals, keeping enormous herds which they pastured on the steppe.
