If you’ve ever visited the British Museum, you might have encountered the extraordinary collection known as the Amu Darya Treasure, also referred to as «the Treasures of Oxus.» This remarkable trove, discovered in 1877 on the right bank of the Amu Darya River—historically known as the Oxus during the Greek period—consists of over 2,000 gold and silver coins and various gold objects dating back to the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE. The treasure was initially unearthed by local inhabitants who later sold it to merchants passing through with a caravan bound for India. From there, the collection eventually made its way to England.
Fast forward to more recent times, specifically to the year 1976, when archaeologists began excavations at the ancient settlement of Takhti Kubad, located 34 kilometers from the Kabodian settlement at the confluence of the Vakhsh and Panj rivers. This site, later named Takhti Sangin by the archaeologists, turned out to be a site of exceptional historical significance. At its heart, they uncovered an ancient temple, which they named «the Temple of Oxus.» This temple was dedicated to the deity associated with the river, a cult that had existed since antiquity.
The discoveries made within this vast temple, constructed during the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE and remaining in use into the early centuries of the Common Era, were nothing short of astonishing. Among the artifacts were offerings likely presented by worshippers, including a depiction of Alexander the Great as Hercules, a sheath adorned with an image of a lion holding a fallow deer, ivory chest panels intricately carved with elaborate designs, and the largest collection of arrowheads in Central Asia, totaling over 5,000 pieces. Additionally, remnants of gilded bronze helmets, which appeared as though they were crafted from pure gold, were also unearthed.
Remarkably, «the Temple of Oxus» has remained in excellent condition over the centuries. During the 15 years of excavation at Takhti Sangin, archaeologists recovered more than 5,000 artifacts from the Greco-Bactrian era. After extensive study, both archaeologists and scholars have reached a consensus that there is a direct link between the Amu Darya Treasure, housed in the British Museum, and «the Temple of Oxus» in Takhti Sangin. The reasoning is that the site where the treasures were originally discovered corresponds to the temple’s location, and all of the treasure’s items possess ceremonial significance. It is plausible that these treasures were relocated from the temple during times of unrest and subsequently hidden near the riverbank. Today, the ruins of Takhti Sangin can still be explored in the picturesque valley of the Panj and Vakhsh rivers, while the treasures from «the Temple of Oxus» are preserved in major museums around the world.
