The ruins of the fortress of Mount Mugh, along the Zerafshan river east of Panjakent in Tajikistan

While almost nothing remains of it now, the site is extremely important for studying Sogdian history and culture. 🧵 The site was the last residence of King Dhewashtich, the ruler of Panjakent and self proclaimed king of Sogdiana, in the early 8th C until his defeat at the hands of the Arabs

Image: paintings from the throne room of the citadel of Panjikent

Among many others, one interesting case of cultural diffusion across late antique and early medieval Eurasia is the case of textiles, and particularly their decoration 🧵 The "Pearl Roundel" is one of the most famous patterns to appear in late antiquity. The earliest ones made in China had busts, and may have been imitations of Sasanian coins, which were sometimes worn as jewellery / appliques (tomb of Xiu Xianxiu; silk from @metmuseum 2008.79)

Making a composite bow. The style and construction is specific for #MingDynasty #China, but shares similarities with #Ottoman, Indo-Persian, and Korean bows too.



I’ll explain the steps: a thread First, the Achilles’ tendon is separated. This will be dried out, and later pounded into fibres that will sit on the back of the bow (the side that faces away from the archer). Some of the animal’s skin is boiled and turned into glue that will be used to hold the wooden core.