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0069 Explorations in Turkestan 1903 : vol.1
Explorations in Turkestan 1903 : vol.1 / Page 69 (Color Image)

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[Photo] 25 A Village of Turkoman Kibitkas, near Kizil-Arvat.

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doi: 10.20676/00000177
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THE AKHAL–TEKIN OASES.

45

sections ; and all of this heavy deposit is therefore best explained by conditions and processes like those of to-day during persistent depression of the surface. The failure to secure a water supply from this deep well is in itself very suggestive of the irregular underground structures and of their torrential origin.

Among the most interesting features of this region are the gently ascending tunnels that are driven in search of water into the gravels of the piedmont slope, near the mountain base. Streams of sufficient size to use in irrigation are thus led forth. The practice is an ancient one, and is in use from Turkestan to India. It has lately been introduced, with good results, in the arid parts of southern California, where piedmont fans of mountain-waste are extensively developed. We were told

Fig. 25.—A Village of Turkoman Kibitkas, near Kizil-Arvat.

at Askhabad that trouble frequently arises between neighboring villages when the excavation of a new tunnel causes a lessening of the water supply from an older tunnel. The native villages (fig. 25) seemed wretchedly poor at first sight, yet some of the circular tents—kibitkas—are well furnished on the scale by which the people there measure the needs of life ; and the carpets and wall-bags are woven—one should rather say crocheted—with a remarkable degree of taste in design and color, and of skill in memorized execution. We were entertained one afternoon near Askhabad by the head man of the native village, who had been with us on an excursion. Rugs were spread in his little orchard, tea and fruit were served, and native music was provided.