Who Were the Sogdians?
In Who Were the Sogdians?, Joanna Lumley uncovers the long-forgotten Sogdian civilization, which thrived between the fourth and eighth centuries in what is now Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The Sogdians, known for their pivotal role in trade, formed merchant communities along the Silk Road, connecting distant cultures. Recent archaeological discoveries, including fresco paintings and evidence of cranial deformation, shed light on their culture and practices. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure, a documentary series uncovering the rich history and cultural treasures of the Silk Road.
Lesson Express
Q: Why is it significant that the fresco paintings show people from different areas of the world, including China, India, and Tibet?
A: The depictions of different people show that the Sogdians, through their merchant communities, were able to connect to distant areas around the world through trade.
Q: What clue in the fresco paintings indicates that Chinese people traded with the Sogdian communities?
A: In the paintings, people are seen transporting cocoons containing silk, which indicates that China was part of the trading community.
Q: Why did the Sogdians wrap and bind the heads of children up to age five?
A: This practice was done to differentiate between ethnic groups. The heads of people in various groups may have been different shapes and sizes. This binding resulted in skulls that were longer than normal (elongated).