This chariot was found where the modern borders of Afghanistan and Tajikistan lie, yet on the front of the chariot is an image of the Egyptian god Bes. How did an Egyptian god’s image end up buried in central Asia? The connection is the Achaemenid Empire of Persia. The chariot is part of the Oxus Treasure, which was gathered in the Persian province of Bactria. It probably dates from around the 5th century BC, when the Achaemenid empire was at its height.

It’s hard to give more details about the meaning of the treasure as it was put together from trade with merchants who had dug it up from the site. Indeed, it’s not 100% certain where the artefacts came from.

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