Between the North and the South of Hindu-Kush, the Bronze Age in Afghanistan and its Relation with the Neighboring Countries

Similar to other Central Asian sites, the Bronze Age in Afghanistan starts from 3000 BC and ends with the appearance of hand-made painted ceramics culture and metal objects around 1500 BC. Divided into three stages: Early Bronze Age (3000-2500/2400 BC.), Middle Bronze Age (2500/2400-1800), and Late Bronze Age (1800-1500 BC.). These periodscorrespond respectively to the Namazga site (IV to VI) cultural levels. This paper presents a review of the long period between the South and the North of the Hindu-Kush, a mountain range that stretches through the center of Afghanistan and divides this country into two parts. Contrary to other neighboring countries, the scientific research of the Bronze Age period is insufficient in Afghanistan. A small number of Bronze Age sites have been excavated in this country mainly by Afghan, French, and Russian archaeologists. The excavation of some great sites all across Afghanistan between the years of 1951-1979, lets us to better understand the civilization of this era. This paper presents equally a brief discussion from the appearance of early urbanization in the South of the country around 3000 BC up to the emergence of the first settled farming tribes in the North of Afghanistan between 2500-1800 BC and their rich civilization called BMAC (Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex/Culture), as well as the relationship between this part of the world & adjacent regions. Another subject of our discussion will be the period between (1800-1500 BC, or Late Bronze Age), which has been marked by the abandonment of sites or reductions in the size of BMAC sites. However, there was the expansion of new settlement, proved by the excavation of Henry Paul Francfort in Shortughaï in Takhar province, where we can observe the unusual ceramics that came from the northern regions.

Keywords:

Bronze Age , BMAC , Indus Civilization , Afghanistan