Gazkala: a new site of the earliest civilization of the Bactria-Margiana archaeological complex (BMAC) in Central Asia

The paper provides primary analysis data on a Bronze Age site calledGazkala uncovered during the field reconnaissance conducted by the Bactrian Unit ofthe Institute of Archaeology, RAS in 2013. The excavations recorded remains of a stoneconstruction located on the natural outcrop and the bedding. The construction and itsperiphery were positioned on the rock in front of the entry to a gorge above the road tothe Muzrabat Steppe where proto-urban centers of Sapallitepa and Jarkutan were located.The ceramic assemblage of the site includes mostly high quality ceramics made withthe use of a turntable, stylistically similar to ceramic assemblages of the Sapalli culturein Southern Uzbekistan, which scholars attribute to the BMAC. A number of secondaryattributes suggest its local production. Flint arrow points (including those found insidethe construction) and traces of high temperature baking of the upper layers imply thatthe site was destroyed by fire as a result of attack