Our next stop which was not part of the tour but which I asked to be included since we kept passing right in front of it was the Afrosiab archaeological site. This is quite a vast area whose exact size I'm not sure of. I wasnt interested in exploring the site but only visiting the museum which was easy to get to.

Afrosiab was a thriving Sogdian settlement dating back to the 5th century BC. It was visited by Alexander the Great and absorbed into his empire. Finally it was destroyed when Ghengis Khan and the Mongols lay ruins to it.

The exhibit I specifically wanted to see was the surviving Pre-Islamic mural. The mural runs on three sides of the wall is has deteriorated in many parts. You can still see great detail in what remains.

I believe it is some kind of procession of ambassadors visiting bringing gifts. My guide was keen to point out how they had copied the actual workmanship of the ambassadors clothing into the mural.

Again I was surprised I could take photos of the mural as for something this rare and historical its normally not allowed yet I cant take pictures of airports and train stations???.

The rest of the museum which wasnt that big showed other archaeological finds from the massive outdoor site. If you have time and on a good day you could explore outside but we had seen way too much today

I was hoping they would have a 'nice toilet' in this relatively modern building. It was actually an outbuilding behind the museum and only had a trickle of water to wash your hands.