Paikend, Archaeological site in Bukhara Region, Uzbekistan
Paikend is an ancient settlement in Bukhara Region featuring a central citadel surrounded by defensive walls and residential districts. The site contains multi-story towers equipped with loopholes and reveals the layout of structures that once made up this fortified community.
The settlement was established between the 4th and 2nd centuries BCE and became a merchant republic of considerable importance. It served as a crucial trading link connecting regions to the south and west with territories to the north.
The site displays remains of both Zoroastrian temples and Islamic structures that reveal how different religions coexisted here over time. Walking through, you notice the architectural traces of multiple spiritual traditions layered across the landscape.
Start your visit by exploring the defensive walls to understand the layout of this place, then examine the residential areas and towers. The on-site museum displays excavated items including jewelry, ceramics, and coins that help you grasp the daily life that once existed here.
Excavations uncovered Central Asia's oldest pharmacy, dating to the 8th century, which reveals the medical knowledge that existed at this trading hub. This discovery shows how advanced healthcare practices were in this merchant settlement.
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