Afrasiab Settlement

Perched on the northern approach to Samarkand, the ancient settlement of Afrasiab whispers tales of a city that thrived from the 7th to the 2nd century BC. This elevated site, once devoid of visible structures, fueled legends among locals who believed it to be the city of Afrasiab, named after a mythical king of Turan. In truth, it represents the pre-Mongol epoch of Samarkand, bustling with urban life until its fall to Mongol forces in 1220.

Samarkand, having endured the onslaught of numerous conquerors, met its match in Genghis Khan. The Mongol leader’s decree to obliterate the city left such an indelible mark on the populace that they dared not reclaim the land. Instead, they resettled at the base of the hills, leaving behind a vast expanse—the remnants of ancient Afrasiab.