Bactria or Bactriana was the ancient Greek name of a historical region in Central Asia, extending in what are today the modern-day countries of Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. This region played a major role in Central Asian history and the civilisation which flourished in the area was contemporary with the European Bronze Age, and was characterised by monumental architecture, social complexity and extremely distinctive cultural artefacts. The vessel is richly decorated by intricate scenes populated by animated human and animal figures, carved with great dynamism in low relief.