Erk-Kala, the oldest citadel of the legendary Merv, occupies a special place in the history of Turkmenistan. Founded in the 6th century BC during the Achaemenid era, Erk-Kala became the ‘foundation’ of the great metropolis known as the ‘Mother of Cities,’ according to the news website InfoAbad.

The 20-hectare citadel preserves traces of various eras, from the Achaemenid to the Hellenistic, when the city was called Antioch of Margiana.

The 30-metre-high mud-brick walls and archaeological finds — seals with images of mythical creatures, bronze arrows, luxury items — confirm the fortress's role as an administrative centre and an important outpost on the Great Silk Road.

Archaeologists also note unique objects: thin-walled Achaemenid-type ceramic bowls, the complex layout of neighbourhoods and palace complexes with a well-thought-out water supply system, as well as the absence of traces of mass destruction, which indicates a tradition of diplomacy and the search for balance.

Today, as part of government programmes, work is underway to conserve Erk-Kala in the Ancient Merv Reserve, ensuring the preservation of this UNESCO site for future generations.