Takht-i Sangin

Takht-i Sangin stands where the Vakhsh and Panj join to form the Amu Darya, and excavation there from the 1970s found a large temple complex of the Hellenistic period, built after Alexander's campaigns, with a fire altar, Greek columns and thousands of votive offerings including ivory, weapons and figurines. The temple, dedicated to the river Oxus, stayed in use into the Kushan period until the third century AD. It may have been the source of the Oxus Treasure, the hoard of Achaemenid gold now in the British Museum, which came to light at Takht-i Kuvad about five kilometres to the south.

Highlights

• The temple complex - a Hellenistic sanctuary with Greek columns and a fire altar.
• The votive deposits - thousands of offerings excavated from the temple.
• The Oxus Treasure link - the site widely thought to have produced the famous hoard.
• The river confluence - the meeting of the Vakhsh and Panj below the site.

When to go

March to May and September to November are the most comfortable. Summer here is extreme. Access is in a sensitive border zone and permits are advisable.

Before you go

The site lies in a border zone and access is restricted; permission should be arranged in advance. Little is visible above ground and there is no interpretation. The Oxus Treasure itself is in London.

Nearby

Chiluchor Chashma is north, and Shahritus is beyond it.

Key facts