Uzbekistan

From the second century, B.C., the Silk Road a more than 4,000-mile link between China and the Roman Empire served the trade of luxury goods, notably silk, and the spread of ideas about religion, culture, and art. The republic of Uzbekistan is home to several ancient urban centers along the Silk Road. The artistic and cultural history of the region through more than two millennia is complemented by 712 illus. 437 in color.