Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor

Overview

The Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor is a key section of the Silk Roads in Central Asia that connects other corridors from all directions. Located in rugged mountains, fertile river valleys, and uninhabitable desert, the 866-kilometre corridor runs from east to west along the Zarafshan River and further southwest following the ancient caravan roads crossing the Karakum Desert to the Merv Oasis. Channelling much of the east-west exchange along the Silk Roads from the 2nd century BCE to the 16th century CE, a large quantity of goods was traded along the corridor. People travelled, settled, conquered, or were defeated here, making it a melting pot of ethnicities, cultures, religions, sciences, and technologies.

Selection Criteria

(ii)(iii)(v)

Components(34 locations)

• •Tahmalaj1675-030
• •Suleimantepa1675-011
• •Kum Settlement1675-003
• •Deggaron Mosque1675-018
• •Amul Settlement1675-026
• •Vobkent Minaret1675-021
• •Jartepa II Temple1675-010
• •Paikend Settlement1675-025
• •Khisorak Settlement1675-001
• •Dabusiya Settlement1675-013
• •Mansaf Caravanserai1675-027
• •Mansaf Caravanserai1675-028
• •Castle on Mount Mugh1675-002
• •Kafirkala Settlement1675-012
• •Rabati Malik Sardoba1675-017
• •Chor Bakh Necropolis1675-023
• •Varakhsha Settlement1675-024
• •Chasma-i Ayub Khazira1675-019
• •Vardanze Settlement1675-020
• •Konegala Caravanserai1675-029
• •Tali Khamtuda Fortress1675-005
• •Sanjarshakh Settlement1675-008
• •Akja Gala Caravanserai1675-031
• •Gardani Khisor Settlement1675-004
• •Town of Ancient Penjikent1675-009
• •Rabati Malik Caravanserai1675-016
• •Kushmeihan (Dinli Kishman)1675-034
• •Mir Sayid Bakhrom Mausoleum1675-015
• •Toksankoriz Irrigation System1675-007
• •Kasim Sheikh Architectural Complex1675-014
• •Mausoleum of Khoja Mukhammad Bashoro1675-006
• •Bahouddin Naqshband Architectural Complex1675-022
• •Gyzylja Gala Caravanserai (Rabad al-Hadid)1675-032
• •Gyzylja Gala Caravanserai (Rabad al-Hadid)1675-033

Details

Countries

Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan

ISO Codes

TJ, UZ, TM

Area

669.679 ha

Transboundary

Yes

Coordinates

39.4415, 69.6856