Proto-urban Site of Sarazm

Sarazm, which means “where the land begins”, is an archaeological site bearing testimony to the development of human settlements in Central Asia, from the 4th millennium BCE to the end of the 3rd millennium BCE. The ruins demonstrate the early development of proto-urbanization in this region. This centre of settlement, one of the oldest in Central Asia, is situated between a mountainous region suitable for cattle rearing by nomadic pastoralists, and a large valley conducive to the development of agriculture and irrigation by the first settled populations in the region. Sarazm also demonstrates the existence of commercial and cultural exchanges and trade relations with peoples over an extensive geographical area, extending from the steppes of Central Asia and Turkmenistan, to the Iranian plateau, the Indus valley and as far as the Indian Ocean.

该聚落本身坐落于从西向东延伸的山脊之上，位于泽拉夫尚河的左岸。萨拉兹姆占地100多公顷，在其鼎盛时期曾是一个广阔且繁华的中心。

萨拉兹姆在古代历史上的重要性与其作为矿石开采中心的地位密切相关。萨拉兹姆人从泽拉夫尚河谷开采金银，并与中东、近东和西印度等遥远地区交易这些贵金属。这一早期的贸易网络使萨拉兹姆成为区域交流和文化传播的交汇点。

除了采矿，萨拉兹姆还是冶金业的突出中心。考古学家发现了先进的金属加工技术的证据，包括铸造模具碎片、熔炉和用于粉碎矿石的重型工具，如杵和锤。还发现了斧头、匕首、刀、矛、别针、鱼钩和装饰品等金属制品，反映了该聚落的技术先进性。

萨拉兹姆最引人注目的发现之一是宫殿建筑群，其占地面积超过250平方米。该建筑群包括一条宽阔的走廊、一个前厅、两三个大厅以及几间辅助房间。宽阔的通道连接着建筑群的不同部分，其中一面墙上甚至装有窗户，这可能是为了采光和通风而设计的。值得注意的是，在其中两个大厅的中心发现了圆形祭坛，这表明该建筑群可能不仅用作宫殿，还可能是举行仪式或宗教仪式的场所。

Sarazm, a settlement dating back to the 4th–2nd millennia BC, lies near Pendzhikent and stands as one of Central Asia’s most ancient cultural hubs. The site has preserved remarkable remnants of its storied past, including fire temples, public and residential buildings, and both cultic and palace structures. Among the many treasures unearthed there are objects crafted from copper, bronze, lead, silver, and gold, along with ancient armor and jewelry, all of which date back millennia.

The settlement itself is situated on a ridge running from west to east, along the left bank of the Zeravshan River. Spanning over 100 hectares, Sarazm was a sprawling and bustling center in its heyday.

Sarazm’s significance in ancient history is closely tied to its role as a hub for ore mining. The people of Sarazm extracted gold and silver from the Zeravshan River valley and traded these precious metals with distant lands, including the Middle East, Near East, and western India. This early trade network placed Sarazm at the crossroads of regional exchange and cultural diffusion.

In addition to mining, Sarazm was a prominent center of metallurgy. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of advanced metalworking techniques, including fragments of casting molds, melting forges, and heavy tools like pestles and hammers used to crush ore. Metal artifacts such as axes, daggers, knives, spears, pins, fishing hooks, and ornamental pieces have also been found, reflecting the settlement’s technological sophistication.

One of the most striking discoveries at Sarazm is the palace complex, which spans more than 250 square meters. This structure includes a large corridor, a vestibule, two or three grand halls, and several auxiliary rooms. Wide passageways connect the different sections of the complex, and one of the walls even features windows, likely designed for both illumination and ventilation. Notably, circular altars have been found at the center of two of the halls, suggesting that this complex may have served not only as a palace but also as a place for ceremonial or religious rites.