A country larger than Western Europe, Kazakhstan is one of the least known of the Asian states. This guide presents the extremely rich, complex and diverse cultural heritage of this young country in an original way, describing the majority of the religious, historical, archaeological, and architectural monuments that are spread along the Silk Road and all over the vast expanse of the steppe, across which nomadic hordes galloped for many centuries. Rock art drawings, intricate Islamic tile work, turquoise domes, minarets, mazars, and preserved relics from the time when Central Asia was a centre of empire and learning are here associated with the ancient barrows of steppe-rulers and the modern picturesque and symbolic buildings erected after Independence. Some of the monuments are presented here for the first time ever in a Western language. AUTHOR: Gian Luca Bonora has conducted many archaeological missions in Kazakhstan, has collaborated with various international institutions, including the Italian Institute for Africa and the East of Rome, and published numerous articles and scientific papers. He currently works with the Department of Archaeology, University of Bologna. ILLUSTRATIONS: 11 colour *
