Uzbekistan

[maciek]

Hello friends!I just came back from Uzbekistan. Of course it was no touristic trip but still I had great hope to see Samarkand, river Syr-Daria (battle with Scythians) Amu Daria (main route in north Bactria), maybe some signs of Alexandria Escharte... but but those people are still in times of CCCP (USSR) and every our move was under their control. We couldn't see even the old city in Tashkient where we spend all our time in there. Well I'm very much dissapointed with this visit.Maciek M

[jona]

Have you been able to take digital pictures? I am still looking for a couple of photos of the steppe, of the Iron Gate, of the rivers - everything that Alexander may have seen as well.Jona

[maciek]

I have pictures from Tashkient and areas of Circhik which is a little more north then Alex was. But who knows maybe he made a short trip to mountains there. i will post that pictures and then I'll let You know.Maciek

[jona]

Thanks!Jona

[marcus]

Hi Maciek,I bet it was still a great trip!I've been looking into the possibility of taking a holiday in Uzbekistan - one company I know does a "Silk Road" tour which includes Samarkand, Tashkent, Bokhara and Khodjend (Alexandria Eschate). I get the impression that there isn't much to see at Khodjend, however, because I'd expect the tour companies to mention it. Perhaps it's the Soviet history that prevented any decent archaeological work, rather than the current mindset?I'd love to see any pictures you have, though!All the bestMarcus

[maciek]

Hello Marcus!
Of course it is always a great pleasure to visit so exotic country. We had a guide from Ukraine - she said that whole ancient ruins are lying without any interest - nobody cares about ancient history - they only know about Amur Timur and soviet part of their history - that's sad. Well for the future it makes great oportunity for archeologists because I'm sure that there is a lot of funtastic ancient sites.
Maciekof course I will post the pictures in the net.

[jona]

"Perhaps it's the Soviet history that prevented any decent archaeological work, rather than the current mindset?"Too pessimistic. Especially in the area north of Termez (where Alexander crossed the Oxus), archaeological work is being done. One site is Tala+íkan tepe, which was destroyed in c.330, probably by the Macedonians (catapult stones). Kampyr tepe was discovered in 2004; it is probably one of Alexander's cities. See, for example, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/f ... 67.stmJona

[ruthaki]

Hi Maciek, how disappointing not to see Samarkand or environs. Still, it must have been a wonderful experience to be that close and to see what you were able to. Looking forward to viewing your pix.