Archaic Proto-Bactria
and Early Ancient Bactria

The Yavanas
(Greek Bactrians, mid-3rd to mid-2nd c. B.C.)

	1. Map showing areas dominated by the Yavanas in Bactria and the Punjab.
	2. A cameo which was part of a Kushan princely pectoral of two thick twisted gold wires. Tillya-tepe necropolis, Bactria. The cameo is a Yavana royal portrait, which is realistic and carved in the traditional color layers. The man wears the Macedonian style helmet of the Yavana kings.
	3. Chalcedony intaglio with a representation of a griffin. 3.1 cm. Yavana booty. Loot found in the Tillya-tepe necropolis of a Kushan princely family, Bactria.
	4. Gold figurine of an ibex. 5.2 cm. Yavana booty in the Tillya-tepe necropolis, Bactria.

Proto-Kushana: the five Kushan principalities
(mid-2nd c. to early 1st c. B.C.)

	1. "Ruler and dragons" pendant. A king, with a castemark on his forehead, fights a dragon. Tillya-tepe necropolis, Bactria. 12.5 x 6.5 cm. A common Asia Minor and Greek theme that is ultimately Persian. The king's dress is both Scythian and Achaemenid, and the contorted dragons recall the Sarmatian animal style. The early Kushan princes synthesized a wide range of artistic traditions to lay the basis for the subsequent far more sophisticated Kushana imperial art.
	2. Gold necklace of threaded hollow balls alternating with a granulated broad ring. From the grave of a young female of lower social standing, Tillya-tepe necropolis, Bactria. The necropolis apparently was for one of the five princely families that displaced the Yavana kings and from which sprang the Kushan Empire.
	3. Caste gold pendant with representation of Athena holding spear and shield. Her name is a mirror image. From the Tillya-tepe Kushan princely necropolis, Bactria. A product of a local workshop, but in the Graeco-Roman style.
	4. Gold clasp with lovers riding a griffin. Tillya-tepe necropolis, Bactria. Local gold workshop under the Kushan princes, but borrowing from Hellenistic traditions.
	5. Caste gold figurine of a winged Aphrodite in high relief with Cupid on column. Tillya-tepe necropolis, Bactria. Reflects the Graeco-Altaic style of the Kushan princes.
	6. Caste gold clasp with representation of a warrior, perhaps the Persian Veretragna. Birds of prey perch on trees (columns?) and dragons are at the warrior's feet. 9 cm. Tillya-tepe necropolis, Bactria. The warrior's dress is typically Graeco-Roman except for the Yavana style helmet, but the dragons are Altaic.
	7. Gold clasp showing Cupid riding a dolphin. 4.5 cm. Tillya-tepa necropolis, Bactria. Local workshop under Kushan princes working in Hellenistic stylistic tradition.
	8. Detail of gold dagger sheath with turquoise beads, in Graeco-Altaic style. Dragon is in the Scythio-Sarmatian animal style. Tillya-tepe necropolis, Bactria.
	9. Caste gold figurine of a Bactrian Aphrodite with a caste mark on her forehead. 5 cm. Tillya-tepe necropolis, Bactria. Hellenistic influences on a local goldworking tradition.
	10. Signet ring with representation of Athena in reverse in central gold bezel set in gold mount. Tillya-tepe, Bactria. From Kushan princely grave. By a local smith following Graeco-Roman tradition.
	11. Gold coin. Obverse shows bearded king with counter mark to right. On reverse an enthrowned archer with illegible Greek inscription. Tillya-tepe necropolis, Bactria.
	12. Bowl of poor quality silver with pressed silver lip. 12 cm. dia. Tillya-tepe, Bactria.
	13. Lidded caste gold cosmetic pot (2 cm. dia.). To the left is a larger vessel with a caste body and with a Greek inscription indicating its weight. Product of a local workshop in Graeco-Roman style. Tillya-tepe necropolis, Bactria.
	14. Mirror with ivory handle. The reflective mirror side is flat. 12.3 cm. dia. Tillya-tepe necropolis, Bactria.
	15. Glass bottles, restored. 10 cm. Tillya-tepe necropolis, Bactria.