Aq Kupruk Buried Upper Palaeolithic Horse Panel
Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE)·Chalcolithic–EBA·🇦🇫 Balkh, Aq Kupruk, Afghanistan
About
About Aq Kupruk Buried Upper Palaeolithic Horse Panel
Aq Kupruk Buried Upper Palaeolithic Horse Panel in Balkh, Aq Kupruk, Afghanistan is a Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE) tell attributed to Chalcolithic–EBA. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal mound 220 × 180 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 35.9260N 67.1480E controls access to Balkh resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey tell for Balkh, Aq Kupruk, illustrating Chalcolithic–EBA construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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. 3800 BCE initial, major 2600 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic to Early Bronze Age (4500–2000 BCE)
- Culture
- Chalcolithic–EBA
- Purpose
- Multi-period settlement mound with stratified urban sequence
- Rediscovered
- 1969 survey
- Excavation
- Buried
c. 3800 BCE initial, major 2600 BCE
Initial construction of Aq Kupruk Buried Upper Palaeolithic Horse Panel main structure
c. 1949
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1964–2009
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Aq Kupruk Buried Upper Palaeolithic Horse Panel) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
35.9260° N · 67.1480° E · 423 m · 3 mapped features
Aq Kupruk Buried Upper Palaeolithic Horse Panel — Main Structure
structurePrincipal tell — Mound 220 × 180 m with diagnostic masonry/panel
35.9268° N · 67.1489° EAq Kupruk Buried Upper Palaeolithic Horse Panel — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
35.9250° N · 67.1473° EAq Kupruk Buried Upper Palaeolithic Horse Panel — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
35.9275° N · 67.1492° E