There is very little archeology or art in this episode. The expedition flies over the desert in search of the ruins at Dan-dan Oilik, which was visited by Aurel Stein, but fails to find it as it had been covered by the desert at the time.
However, the documentary contains some of the most interesting enthography of the series, amongst the Turkic Uighars in Khotan, who, though previously Buddhist, are now Muslim.
They examine first their jade industry. It was from here that jade went east and silk came through on its way west. They also show a wonderful jade shroud recently rediscovered from nearly 2,000 years ago.
Eventually cocoons were brought from China and there is now a flourishing silk industry also. We also see the local bustling weekend market when people come in from across the desert to trade, and find out about the local Persian-style carpet making.
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Possibly Related Documentaries:
The Silk Road Series 4/16: The Dark Castle
The Silk Road Series 5/16: In Search of the Kingdom of Lou-lan
The Silk Road Series 11/16: Where Horses Fly Like the Wind
The Silk Road Series 10/16: Journey Into Music, South Through the Tian Shan Mountains
The Silk Road Series 3/16: The Art-gallery in the Desert
