Murche is an abandoned village in the

Ahal Region Ahal Region (; from , also ) is one of five regions of Turkmenistan, provinces of Turkmenistan. It is in the south-center of the country, bordering Iran and Afghanistan along the Kopet Dag, Kopet Dag Range. Its area is and population 886,845 (20 ...

of Turkmenistan. The site is famed for the Mausoleum of Zengi Baba.

History

Upon construction of the

Karakum Canal The Karakum Canal (Qaraqum Canal, Kara Kum Canal, Garagum Canal; , ''Karakumskiy Kanal'', , , ) in Turkmenistan is one of the largest irrigation and water supply canals in the world. Started in 1954, and completed in 1988, it is navigable over ...

to its north in the 1960s, inhabitants of Murche settled at a new site closer to the canal. Murche was left to ruins and crumbling mud-walls and doorways are all that survives. Turkmen archaeologists have rebuilt a mud-tower and fireplace in traditional style — imparting feels of antiquity.

Mausoleum of Zengi Baba

The most preeminent shrine of Zangi Baba, this mausoleum dates either from the 13th-14th centuries, when bricks taken from earlier establishments were put to reuse, or the 10th-11th centuries and then reconstructed a few centuries later. It is a square building with an over-span dome — transition between walls and dome is marked with four niche-separated squinches. The cenotaph is

tile Tiles are usually thin, square or rectangular coverings manufactured from hard-wearing material such as ceramic, Rock (geology), stone, metal, baked clay, or even glass. They are generally fixed in place in an array to cover roofs, floors, wal ...

d with different geometric patterns. Outside the mausoleum, a large collection of ovoid objects (prob. cannon balls; ascribed to be dinosaur eggs in local tradition) and stones of peculiar appearance (esp.

ammolite Ammolite is an opal-like organic gemstone found primarily along the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains of North America. It is commonly unearthed by natural erosion or through the process of various mining practices, within the perimeter of ...

s) are preserved and imparted with sacred functions.

History

Mausoleum of Zengi Baba

References

Further reading