Silk Road Archaeological sites
Silk Road Archeological Sites
The Silk Roads are older and longer than most people – even most academicians realize:
A growing mass of archaeological evidence suggests that the Silk Road may have been in use long before Zhang Qian's diplomatic journey. Silk has been found in the mummies of Egypt around 1000 BC, German graves dated to 700 BC, and 5th century Greek tombs. European, Persian and Central Asian goods have been found in the Japanese capital city of Nara.
https://www.thoughtco.com/along-the-silk-road-167077
In fact the number of ruins of ancient villages, towns, cities, caravansarai, palaces, castles, temples, masjids, and shrines is vastly greater than is represented in the table below. What is represented below is only the briefest sketch and far from complete. One should remember that the ancient Silk Roads were very much like a living nervous system, connecting everything of note in the ancient world, for transportation and trade are at the foundation of all ancient civilizations.
UNESCO and Wikipedia were very helpful, as were the Archeological institutes/associations in compiling the list below, also: http://www.liquisearch.com/list_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
The Silk Roads are older and longer than most people – even most academicians realize:
A growing mass of archaeological evidence suggests that the Silk Road may have been in use long before Zhang Qian's diplomatic journey. Silk has been found in the mummies of Egypt around 1000 BC, German graves dated to 700 BC, and 5th century Greek tombs. European, Persian and Central Asian goods have been found in the Japanese capital city of Nara.
https://www.thoughtco.com/along-the-silk-road-167077
In fact the number of ruins of ancient villages, towns, cities, caravansarai, palaces, castles, temples, masjids, and shrines is vastly greater than is represented in the table below. What is represented below is only the briefest sketch and far from complete. One should remember that the ancient Silk Roads were very much like a living nervous system, connecting everything of note in the ancient world, for transportation and trade are at the foundation of all ancient civilizations.
UNESCO and Wikipedia were very helpful, as were the Archeological institutes/associations in compiling the list below, also: http://www.liquisearch.com/list_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
Armenia
FROM WIKIPEDIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
Aramus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aramus,_Armenia
Baghaberd
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghaberd
Erebuni Fortress
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erebuni_Fortress
Garni
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garni
Kakavaberd
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakavaberd
Odzaberd
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odzaberd
Zvartnots Cathedral
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zvartnots_Cathedral
FROM WIKIPEDIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
Aramus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aramus,_Armenia
Baghaberd
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baghaberd
Erebuni Fortress
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erebuni_Fortress
Garni
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garni
Kakavaberd
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakavaberd
Odzaberd
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odzaberd
Zvartnots Cathedral
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zvartnots_Cathedral
China
This list is very incomplete. A real list would have to be divided province by province. Below are only a tiny fraction of the Silk Road sites in China. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country An Yang https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anyang Banpo (Neolithic site) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banpo Bashidang https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashidang Chang’an (Ancient Capital) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang%27an Chengtoushan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chengtoushan Daming Palace National Heritage Park https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daming_Palace |
Xinjiang
|
Gansu Province
Silk Road Museum in Jiuquan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Route_Museum Jiayuguan Museum Dunhuang Museum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunhuang_County_Museum Gallery Road https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallery_road Jiahu https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiahu |
Kashgar – Grand Silk Crossroads
(Not having visited yet, I have no idea what has survived modernization. The internet has precious little on this ancient Silk Road hub)
Lajia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lajia
Peking Man site at Zhoukoudian (near Beijing)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peking_Man
Saxingdui
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanxingdui
Terracotta Army (Near Xian)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terracotta_Army
Tianlongshan Grottoes
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tianlongshan_Grottoes
Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King (Guangzhou)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_the_Mausoleum_of_the_Nanyue_King
Yinxu
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
Georgia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country Armzi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armazi Dmanisi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dmanisi Nokalakevi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokalakevi Vani https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vani Georgian National Museum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian_National_Museum |
India
FROM WIKIPEDIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indus_Valley_Civilisation_sites (Mostly in India)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Pre-Indus_Valley_Civilisation_sites
& UNESCO
http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5492/
Ajanta Caves
Acheulean site of Chirki-on-Pravara
Adichanallur
Aihole
Arikamedu
Badami
Barabar Caves Oldest Rock-cut cave of India.
Bhimbetka
Birhana
Burzahom archaeological site
Dholavira The Ancient Metropolitan City.
Edakkal Caves Possible influence of Indus Valley Civilization in Kerala.
Ellora Caves
Jaugada Mauryan fort site
Jwalapuram
Kharligarh Ancient ruined fort
Konark Sun Temple
Kulpahar site of 10th century remains
Lothal
Nalanda Largest University of Ancient Time & one of the oldest
Mahaballipuram
Pattanam (South India)[2]
Rewari site of a large hoard of copper artefacts
Sisupalgarh Mauryan fort site
Vikramshila
Iran
FROM WIKIPEDIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
Alamut
Apadana
Arg-é Bam
Bishapur
Bisitun
Blue Mosque, Tabriz
Damghan
Darband Cave
Choqa Zanbil
Ecbatana
Firuzabad
Ganj Par
Ganj Dareh
Golestan Palace
Gorgan
Hajji Firuz Tepe
Izadkhvast
Silk Road
Taq-e Bostan
Hasanlu Tepe
Jameh Mosque of Isfahan
Jiroft civilization
Jondi Shapur
Ka'ba-i Zartosht
Kashafrud
Kunji Cave
Masuleh
Meybod
Naqsh-e Rajab
Naqsh-e Rustam
Pasargadae
Persepolis
Qaleh Bozi Caves
Shahr-e Sukhteh
Soltaniyeh
Susa
Takht-i-Suleiman
Tang-e Bolaghi
Taq-e Bostan
Warwasi
Iraq
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
Al-Mada'in (Taq-i Kisra's ruins)
Al-Qurnah
Babylon
Baghdad
Hatra
Isin
Jarmo
Nimrud
Nineveh
Samarra
Shanidar
Tell al-Fakhar
Tell Bazmusian
Tell Shemshara
Ur
Zarzi
Jordan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
'Ain Ghazal
Jerash
Madaba mosaic map
Petra
Jerash
Um qais
Alazraq
Ajlun castle
Pella(Tabqet Fahl)
Philadelphia(Amman)=Roman Amphitheatre and castle
Barashta
Beit ras
Irbid (el tal)
Um Aljmal-Almafraq
Salt
FROM WIKIPEDIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Indus_Valley_Civilisation_sites (Mostly in India)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Pre-Indus_Valley_Civilisation_sites
& UNESCO
http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5492/
Ajanta Caves
Acheulean site of Chirki-on-Pravara
Adichanallur
Aihole
Arikamedu
Badami
Barabar Caves Oldest Rock-cut cave of India.
Bhimbetka
Birhana
Burzahom archaeological site
Dholavira The Ancient Metropolitan City.
Edakkal Caves Possible influence of Indus Valley Civilization in Kerala.
Ellora Caves
Jaugada Mauryan fort site
Jwalapuram
Kharligarh Ancient ruined fort
Konark Sun Temple
Kulpahar site of 10th century remains
Lothal
Nalanda Largest University of Ancient Time & one of the oldest
Mahaballipuram
Pattanam (South India)[2]
Rewari site of a large hoard of copper artefacts
Sisupalgarh Mauryan fort site
Vikramshila
Iran
FROM WIKIPEDIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
Alamut
Apadana
Arg-é Bam
Bishapur
Bisitun
Blue Mosque, Tabriz
Damghan
Darband Cave
Choqa Zanbil
Ecbatana
Firuzabad
Ganj Par
Ganj Dareh
Golestan Palace
Gorgan
Hajji Firuz Tepe
Izadkhvast
Silk Road
Taq-e Bostan
Hasanlu Tepe
Jameh Mosque of Isfahan
Jiroft civilization
Jondi Shapur
Ka'ba-i Zartosht
Kashafrud
Kunji Cave
Masuleh
Meybod
Naqsh-e Rajab
Naqsh-e Rustam
Pasargadae
Persepolis
Qaleh Bozi Caves
Shahr-e Sukhteh
Soltaniyeh
Susa
Takht-i-Suleiman
Tang-e Bolaghi
Taq-e Bostan
Warwasi
Iraq
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
Al-Mada'in (Taq-i Kisra's ruins)
Al-Qurnah
Babylon
Baghdad
Hatra
Isin
Jarmo
Nimrud
Nineveh
Samarra
Shanidar
Tell al-Fakhar
Tell Bazmusian
Tell Shemshara
Ur
Zarzi
Jordan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
'Ain Ghazal
Jerash
Madaba mosaic map
Petra
Jerash
Um qais
Alazraq
Ajlun castle
Pella(Tabqet Fahl)
Philadelphia(Amman)=Roman Amphitheatre and castle
Barashta
Beit ras
Irbid (el tal)
Um Aljmal-Almafraq
Salt
Kyrgyzstan
UNESCO
http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5518/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country Balasagun Burana Issyk Kul Qoshoy Qorgon Suyab Tash Rabat Uzgen Also see: http://www.liquisearch.com/list_of_archaeological_sites_by_country/kyrgyzstan |
Lebanon
FROM WIKIPEDIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
Anjar
Baalbek (Heliopolis)
Byblos
sidon
nahr el kaleb
tyr
Also see: http://www.wow.com/wiki/Archaeology_in_Lebanon
http://archive.archaeology.org/0801/topten/alexander.html
Mongolia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
Khoid Tsenkheriin Agui (Northern Cave of Blue): Paleolithic cave drawings
Tsagaan Agui (White Cave):Paleolithic cave drawings
Kharakhorum, capital of the Mongolian Empire
Nepal
http://www.himalayanmart.com/archaelogysitenepal/archaelogysitenepal.php
http://feelingbsb-nepal.blogspot.hk/2007/01/archaeological-sites-in-nepal.html
FROM WIKIPEDIA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
Anjar
Baalbek (Heliopolis)
Byblos
sidon
nahr el kaleb
tyr
Also see: http://www.wow.com/wiki/Archaeology_in_Lebanon
http://archive.archaeology.org/0801/topten/alexander.html
Mongolia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
Khoid Tsenkheriin Agui (Northern Cave of Blue): Paleolithic cave drawings
Tsagaan Agui (White Cave):Paleolithic cave drawings
Kharakhorum, capital of the Mongolian Empire
Nepal
http://www.himalayanmart.com/archaelogysitenepal/archaelogysitenepal.php
http://feelingbsb-nepal.blogspot.hk/2007/01/archaeological-sites-in-nepal.html
Russian Federation
http://archaeologyinrussia.blogspot.hk/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country
Arkaim - Proto-Aryans
Ignateva Cave - Site of Paleolithic cave painting
Ipatovo - Proto-Indo-Europeans
Krivoye Lake - Proto-Aryans
Ladoga - Vikings/Russians
Maykop - Proto-Indo-Europeans
Pazyryk - Scythians
Sarkel - Khazars
Sintashta - Proto-Aryans
Tanais - Ancient Greeks
Tmutarakan - Greeks/Khazars/Russians
Ubsunur Hollow - nomadic tribes such as the Scythians, the Turks and the Huns
Veliky Novgorod - Vikings/Russians
Archaeologists excavate unique medieval ruins at the center of a Siberian lake http://archive.archaeology.org/1011/etc/letter.html
Syrian Arab Republic
Seven Stunning Archeological Sites in Syria: http://www.livescience.com/39383-archaeological-sites-in-syria.html
Al-Rawda
Bosra
Chagar Bazar
Dibsi Faraj
Ebla
Halabiye
Mari
Mureybet
Palmyra
Qatna
Tell Abu Hureyra
Tell Arbid
Tell Barri
Tell Beydar
Tell Brak
Tell Chuera
Tell Fray
Tell Halaf
Tell Hamoukar
Tell Leilan
Tell Mozan
Ugarit
Zalabiye
Tajikistan
See: http://www.meta.tj/wp-content/uploads/Archaeology-brochure.pdf
Turkey Turkish Cultural Foundation http://www.turkishculture.org/archaeology/archaeological-sites-in-1018.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_by_country Wikipedia lists several hundred archaeological sites of the many thousands there. Turkey appears to have the largest number of ancient city/sites along the Silk Road, though a complete list of Chinese Silk Road sites might rival it.See Wikipedia listing above for links.Below are some of the placed I visited and photographed: ANKARA(NOTE: A “Han” was the terminal end point of the Western End of the ancient Silk Road, as compared to a Caravansarai, which were trading centers along the Silk Road.)Ankara Castle/Citadel & Sultan Aladdin Camii Masjid from 1178 in Ankara Citadel Fortress https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankara_CastleKursunlu Camii (Masjid)Museum of Anatolian Civilization (within ancient bazaar) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_Anatolian_CivilizationsSulu Han Carsisi – Largest Han in Ankara ERZURUMErzurum Citadel (Castle/fortress) & Masjid withinGurcukapi Camii (Ali Aga Camii) (981/1608)Gordian Tombs - Phirygian Civilization BERSABersa FortressCelebi Mehmed Social Complex, built on the order of V. Ottoman Sultan Celebi Sultan Mehmed, 1413-1421 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mehmed_the_ConquerorYesil Camii - Green Masjid in Bursa_1st capital of Ottoman Empire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Mosque_(Bursa)Many restored ancient Hans including Koza Hani built by Sultan Bayezid II 1489-1491Osman Gazi Turbesi Royal Ottoman TombsUlu Camii from 1399 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Mosque_of_BursaGazi Orhan Camii (Masjid) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Places_of_interest_in_BursaKale Burcu Sanat AtolyesiMecnundede Camii - built 15th Century by Cakir Aga during the time of Mehmed the Conqueror (1451 - 1481); renovated in1970 ISTANBULSultan Ahmed Camii_Blue Masjid https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sultan_Ahmed_Mosque Theodosian Hagia Sophia – Biggest oldest grandest Church/Masjid in the world – 5th Century https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_SophiaHippodrome – Location of the ancient “Games” with spectacular remnants of the ancient world, like The Obelisk of Theodosium 390 AD (Stolen from Egypt by the Romans - originally set up by Tutmoses III in the 18th Dynasty of Egypt close to 1450 BC) and the Serpent Column taken from in front of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi – made from Greek spoils of war 479-480 BC https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HippodromeRoman Cistern (Yerebatan Saray/ Cistern of Philoxenos) built 534 AD by Emperor Justinianus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cistern_of_PhiloxenosTopkapi Palace – Huge, spectacular, beyond description – brilliantly preserved overlooking the sea. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topkap%C4%B1_PalaceIsmail Aga Camii_branch of the Gümüşhanevî Dergâh of Nakşibendi-Khālidī Ṭarīqah (Sufi)Manyasizade Medresesi KutuphanesiTomb of Sultan Mehmed III 1608Old City Wall – large parts of which still remainSepetciler Pavilion - One of two costal Pavilions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basketmakers%27_KioskMisir Carsisi 1664 – Spice Market still used today https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spice_BazaarNuruosmaniye Camii - Masjid next to Grand Kapalicarsi Bazaar (1748-1755) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuruosmaniye_MosqueThe Grand Bazaar of Istanbul - Kapalicarsi 1461 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Bazaar,_Istanbul Ist Archaeological Museum – one of the world’s greatest https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%B0stanbul_Archaeology_MuseumsMuseum of Turkish and Islamic Art – across from the Hippodrome, and contains among other thing the DamascusDocuments https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_and_Islamic_Arts_Museum All the Silk Road sites I visited in Turkey were well preserved and restored. |
Turkmenistan
Near Turkmenabad Astana-Baba Allamberdar Akmuhammet Isan Madrassa Dayahatyn Caravansarai * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dayahatyn Merv / Mary https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merv Great Kyz Kalas Gyaur Kala (Pagan Fortress) Second oldest surviving city-state 3rd C BC Each side of walls is 2 Km. Was Zoroastrianisn, Buddhist and Nestorian Christian Lessor Kyz Kala 12th Century Sultan Kala 9th-10th C Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar 1086-1157 - A Pearl of Isalmic Architecture Architectural Complex at the Tomb of Akhmed Zamchi - Son of Holy Prophet Muhamad Tomb of Hoja Yusuf Hamadani Great Philosopher late 11th & 12th C Tomb Mausoleum Muhammad Ibn Zaid (4th Generatrion Descendant of Ali) 7th C - built 12th C Fortress of Muhammad Ibn Zaid (4th Generation Descendant of Ali) 7th C - built 12th C |
Uzbekistan
Bukhara
|