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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;medoraman, post: 1785219, member: 26302&quot;]So I bought some Sogdian artifacts recently. I do not do this often, but these pieces moved me.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>These were all found in Ustrushana, which is east of Samarkand. It was the furthest east Alexander ever traveled. He went there since the last part of the &quot;Sogdian Rock&quot; was there. The &quot;Sogdian Rock&quot; was a series of fortresses said to be impenetratable. He defeated them all, ended up marrying a Sogdian/Bactrian lady, and then moved on to India. As an aside, (and I just learned this), Alexander defeating the Sogdians did them a great favor. Before this they were a great warrior people. After their defeat, they turned their attention instead to farming and trade. Well, we have read how successful they were running the Silk Road, (at least I have <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />).</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Anyway, the first three are listed as &quot;amulets&quot;, but to me look like child toys. They are about 2 inches long and lead. The first two are pack horses, (reinforcing the trading aspect of Sogdia), and the third is the Huma bird. This is mythological griffon like bird, (think phoenix), that never landed. Its very important to the culture of Iran, (it is the symbol today of the Iranian national airline). What resonates with me is how this is a IRANIAN cultural item. It reinforces the fact Sogdians were in fact Iranian people, they simply were not the ones who settled in and lived in Persia.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The fourth is a cross of the Eastern church. Some of you remember I collect crosses on Sogdian coins. Well this is an actual cross from Sogdia. Ustrushan was a site of a very important Eastern Church monastary, and was one of the last places in Central Asia taken over by the muslims.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>So, do anyone else supplement their ancient coin collection with artifacts related to them?[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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