Balkh — Buried Shrine North (Bactra, Afghanistan)
Balkh Shrine N
Neolithic to Bronze Age (6000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇦🇫 Balkh, Balkh, Afghanistan
About
About Balkh — Buried Shrine North (Bactra, Afghanistan)
Balkh — Buried Shrine North (Bactra, Afghanistan) in Balkh, Balkh, Afghanistan is a Neolithic to Bronze Age (6000–1200 BCE) buried city attributed to Bronze Age. Systematic survey and LiDAR document stratified deposits. The site includes a principal platform and ancillary necropolis. Dimensions insula 28 × 42 m; street grid 120 m × 90 m; area 21.3 ha. Excavation buried; condition buried under 2–5 m alluvium/colluvium. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Bronze Age buried-city with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 360 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Relation to regional network
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Territorial marker
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. 3000 BCE
- Period
- Neolithic to Bronze Age (6000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Buried urban quarter under later deposits
- Rediscovered
- 1949
- Excavation
- Buried
c. 3000 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 834 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1892
Modern rediscovery and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
36.7600° N · 66.9000° E · 360 m · 3 mapped features
Buried Insula North
insulaBuried Insula North at Balkh — Buried Shrine North (Bactra, Afghanistan) — insula with stratified deposits
36.7614° N · 66.9003° EStreet Grid Sector
streetStreet Grid Sector at Balkh — Buried Shrine North (Bactra, Afghanistan) — street with stratified deposits
36.7593° N · 66.8984° EWorkshop Terrace
workshopWorkshop Terrace at Balkh — Buried Shrine North (Bactra, Afghanistan) — workshop with stratified deposits
36.7602° N · 66.8984° E