View
of old Arab-influenced parts of the city. Buildings with cupolas next
to a probably once completely square or rectangular covered walkway, are
typically Arabic features. Nearby, around the central tower, there were
still archeological excavations going on. As in many areas around here,
wherever a spade is stuck into the ground, bones, pottery shards, or old
building remains are unearthed. Every square inch in this part of the
world is on top of remnants of a long and tumultuous history. This city
had its beginning in the sixth century, two hundred years before the Vikings
arrived here to trade northern slaves to this and other places as far
as away as Tashkent and Bhagdad.