The Stone Wonder of Tash Rabat
In The Stone Wonder of Tash Rabat, host Joanna Lumley visits Tash Rabat, a stone structure, located in a mountainous region of Kyrgyzstan that served as a stopping point or inn (caravanserai) for traders traveling through the region during the 15th Century. Its origins, however, may go back long before the 15th Century. Follow Joanna Lumley through some of the structure’s 31 rooms as she marvels at the many passageways, domes, and skylights. 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: What do you notice about the surroundings of the stone structure?
A: The stone building seems to be built into the mountain slope, meaning that much of the structure itself is buried underground. The location is very remote so there is very little surrounding the building.
Q: What features do you notice in the large, round room?
A: The large round room has a very high dome ceiling. It also features four equally spaced windows or skylights surrounding the highest point. All the walls are stacked stone, and a low wall of stacked stone goes along the perimeter of the room.
Q: Look at the outside of the structure. What is the purpose of the rounded structure in the corner of the building?
A: The rounded part could have served as a lookout tower at various times in history. Its shape could have also enabled the structure to remain strong even with severe weather since wind can more easily blow around the rounded stone.