Samarqand

Aka Samarkand. Probably the most famous city on the silk road. Founded almost 3,000 years ago. Served as Tamerlane's capital. Became the empire known as the Mughul empire in India.
Most of the old city has been destroyed. Only a few buildings remain and those are generally restored. First is the building at the observatory built by Tamerlane's grandson Ulugbeg, and the second is what remains of the largest sextant/quadrant of the 14th century when the Islamic world was the intellectual center. Astronomy done there became the basis for western astronomy. The work was so accurate that they calculated the length of the year to about 1 minute off of current science. Ulugbeg was assassinated by fundamentalists, resulting in the end of the era of Islamic growth and descent into their dark ages.
Next are a couple of pics of the necropolis of Tamerlane's family built on the site where one of Mohammed's cousins is buried. Last is Tamerlane's own mausoleum.Read more