Nature and Adventure
By Alim Alimov
Look beyond the phrase “desert castles” to understand Koy-Krylgan Kala’s circular plan, changing interpretations and the lost oasis landscape of Khorezm.
History and Culture
Learn to read portraits, inscriptions and find context on ancient Sogdian and Kushan coins, and understand what they can reveal about exchange.
Emotions
Meet Kazakhstan’s Golden Man through the Issyk burial mound, archaeological evidence and the modern legends surrounding this Saka-era discovery.
Follow the lost-treasure legend through the Zeravshan Valley’s Sogdian history and learn how archaeologists distinguish finds from treasure myths.
Visit the ancient settlement of Sarazm and explore a silk-princess legend while learning what archaeology actually tells us about early exchange.
Walk through the real history of Ancient Merv and explore the dragon legend as folklore, with practical advice for visiting the archaeological park.
