Afrasiyab (Samarkand)

Afrasiyab is the archaeological site of the ancient city of Samarkand, located on a telling mound immediately north of the modern urban centre in Uzbekistan. The site preserves layers of occupation from the Sogdian city through later medieval periods and yields important material on Central Asian urbanism.

On-site highlights include the archaeological mound with visible foundation traces and the small museum that exhibits wall fragments, painted panels and artefacts recovered during excavations. The museum contains well-known painted fragments and finds that illustrate Sogdian and early medieval urban culture.

The city at Afrasiyab was a major Sogdian centre and later an important stop on transcontinental routes; it was sacked by the Mongols under Genghis Khan in 1220, after which much of the old settlement was abandoned and the focus of Samarkand shifted. Excavations in the 20th century uncovered structural remains and painted panels that are key to understanding the site.

Afrasiyab sits on the northern outskirts of modern Samarkand in the Samarkand Region of Uzbekistan, within easy reach of the city’s historic core and its principal monuments.

• Mongol sack: The site preserves remains of ancient Samarkand and is associated with the Sogdian city that was sacked by the Mongols in 1220, a pivotal event in its history.

What to See #

• Afrasiyab archaeological site: A raised archaeological mound with stratified remains of the ancient city of Samarkand, containing building foundations, streets and evidence of Sogdian urban settlement.
• Afrasiyab Museum: A small on-site museum that preserves and displays finds from excavations, including painted fragments, ceramics and carved stonework associated with the ancient city.