ARCHEOLOGY
On the territory of Sarazm Kishlak, 15 kilometers to the East from present Penjikent, was discovered the first proto-town settlement. Scientistы are dating it as back as to the Ill-rd century ВС. It is the most ancient settlement in all Central Asia. The monument's area is more than 70 ha. and considered to be of a very high ancient culture. More than 50 centuries ago the population of ancient Sarazm was busy with cultivating land, breeding cattle and crafting. There were found some remains of material culture such as beautifully decorated ceramics, articles made of stone; knives, daggers, axes made of bronze and many more. It was proved that already in the II—II millennium ВС the tribes from upper Zerafshan valley were trading with the tribes from Kazakhstan and Southern Siberia as well as with those living on the shores of Persian Gulf of the Indus river valley. Upon the finds from Sarazm the scientists are working up the problems of the history of Central Asian peoples, particularly Tajiks. Upon the discovery of Sarazm settlement it became clear that such towns as Samarkand, Bukhara and Penjikent appeared due to historical prerequisite.
Ruins of Ancient Panjakent – a big cultural centre of Sogds – were noticed more than 100 years ago. Beginning from 1940 the excavations were made on the territory of the site of ancient Penjikent — old capital of Divashtich. The site is situated to the South from modern Penjikent near a wonderful stream «Kayran». The people of the town are supplied with its water. The site is a very complicated monument. It consists of a strongly fortified citadel — Kuhendiz — so were called all fortified rulers' castles in Central Asia; the town itself (Sharistan) surrounded by a special fortress wall with a number of towers; an out settlement (rabad) and a big necropolis consisting of various small vaults «nauss». They were filled with «assuari» (small earthenware boxes) with the remains of dead bodies.
