Parc national historique et culturel de l’« Ancienne Merv »

Photo : Marc-Lautenbacher (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Located in southern Turkmenistan, this national historic and cultural park encompasses the archaeological remains of Merv, one of the most important cities of the ancient and medieval Islamic world. The site comprises successive urban settlements spanning more than two millennia, with ruins representing different periods of occupation from the Achaemenid era through the Timurid period. The layered archaeological deposits reveal the evolution of urban planning, architecture, and settlement patterns across Central Asia's major trade routes. The landscape is characterized by earthen ramparts, mud-brick structures, and extensive archaeological features that document the city's role as a significant center of culture, commerce, and learning. The remains reflect the city's architectural heritage, including mosques, mausoleums, and residential quarters that showcase construction techniques and urban organization from various historical periods.