Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor

The Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor comprises a key section in the harsh environment of Central Asia of this route where ideas and goods were exchanged.

This 866-kilometre stretch, crossing mountain ranges and the Karakum desert, lies at the heart of the network of Silk Roads corridors. In early medieval times, it was the place where the trade of Sogdians flourished. Later, caravanserais and monumental Islamic buildings were added. The roads crossed the Karakum Desert to end in Merv Oasis, and comprise 34 individual components spread across high mountains, plains, and deserts.

Community Perspective: In Uzbekistan, Nan visited a string of sites, Jarek did Paykent and Els covered Chor Bakr and the Bahoutdin Complex near Bukhara. Tamas ventured into Tajikistan to cover Penjikent.