Parthian Fortresses of Nisa

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The Parthian Fortresses of Nisa: A Key Cultural Crossroad

The Parthian Fortresses of Nisa, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, offer a unique glimpse into the ancient civilization that once thrived in present-day Turkmenistan. This archaeological site, situated approximately 18 kilometers west of Ashgabat, serves as a testament to the skillful blending of indigenous cultural elements with those of the Hellenistic and Roman worlds.

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UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

The Parthian Fortresses of Nisa consist of two tells of Old and New Nisa, indicating the site of one of the earliest and most important cities of the Parthian Empire, a major power from the mid 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD. They conserve the unexcavated remains of an ancient civilization which skilfully combined its own traditional cultural elements with those of the Hellenistic and Roman west. Archaeological excavations in two parts of the site have revealed richly decorated architecture, illustrative of domestic, state and religious functions. Situated at the crossroads of important commercial and strategic axes, this powerful empire formed a barrier to Roman expansion while serving as an important communication and trading centre between east and west, north and south.

Encyclopedia Record: Nisa, Turkmenistan

Nisa was an ancient settlement of the Parthians, located near the Bagyr neighborhood of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, 18 km west of the city center. Nisa is described by some as the first seat of the Arsacid Empire. It is traditionally assumed to have been founded by Arsaces I and was reputedly the royal residence of the Parthian kings, although it has not been established that the fortress at Nisa was either a royal residence or a mausoleum.

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