Afrasiyab, Archaeological site in northern Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Afrasiyab is an ancient settlement spreading across 220 hectares of land, surrounded by defensive walls. The ruins reveal residential buildings, water systems, and structures from different periods.
From 500 BC until 1220 AD, the settlement served as the capital of Sogdiana and was a major center for trade and culture. Its destruction by Mongol forces under Genghis Khan marked the end of this flourishing period.
The excavated murals show how Sogdian rulers and Chinese envoys maintained contact during the trading era. These artworks reflect the connections this city held with distant cultures.
The Afrasiyab Museum displays archaeological finds such as ceramics, glass objects, and gravestones from various periods. It helps to visit the museum before exploring the ruins to better understand the site's history.
The settlement contains five ancient bathhouses from the 9th and 10th centuries with sophisticated water systems and decorated rooms. These bathing facilities demonstrate the technical skills of the people who lived here at that time.
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