Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to shed some more light on the connection of the areas of Bactria and Margiana in the early days of the Sassanid Empire (in the 3rd-4th c. BC).
Based on archaeological data, especially the analysis of the material culture of both regions, one can find a number of analogies that involve intensive mutual contacts between the two regions in in the given period. After centuries of isolation under the rule of the Kushans in Bactria and Parthians in Margiana, these two areas came under the domination of the Sassanids.
One of the most striking elements showing the relationship is the production of tableware in the two regions. Another similar phenomenon shows us the expansion of rotary querns at the same time both in the oases of Bactria and Merv.
Among other cultural impulses, that we can observe in this context deserves special attention, is the spread of Buddhism from Bactria to Margiana, which took place, in all likelihood, again in the third and fourth century. All these data confirm the intensification of contacts and relations between Bactria and Margiana and neighbouring oases during the reign of the Sassanids in the north-eastern part of the Iranian plateau and in the south of modern Turkmenistan.