Of major note is a fortified mud brick citadel with buttressed walls, which dominates the lower part of the ancient city, dated to pre-Achaemenid times. An operation began in 2004 to help uncover relics relating to the occupation of this site, producing figurines and other clay objects. The archaeologists have discovered a set of geometric ornaments and stone figures with depictions of the goddess of fertility. They also discovered ancient grape seeds, revealing much about the system of large settlements of ancient farmers who lived in the foothills of the Kopet Dag mountains including other settlements of Kara Depe, Namazga Depe, Altyn Depe, Yylyn Depe etc. The artifacts discovered in Ulug Depe are on display at the Ak Bugdai Museum in Ashgabat.