...In Ustrushan Alexander the Great had a hard time, too fierce resistance met his warriors on this ancient segment of the Great Silk Road. Later he would fight against Sogd and Bactria, but now he was confronted by Ustrushana and the Asian Scythians, whose courage and justice were praised by Homer.  A particularly bloody battle took place under the walls of the ancient city of Kiropol, a city that is one of the modern mysteries of history. 

Excavations in the Zaamin district testify to the culture that flourished in these places many centuries ago. Many interesting finds have been transferred to the Zaamin Local History Museum, which this year opened its doors - renovated, after reconstruction.

The history of the museum building is interesting. Built-in 1909, originally it was an Officers' meeting, for officers of the Russian garrison. It was an outpost of the Empire on the border of Turkestan. What was not then located within its walls! And a hospital, and stores, and offices, and even a maternity hospital. In one hundred years the building fell into decay and required immediate repair, while the task was to preserve the heritage and not to violate the integrity of the unique structure.  Over the years it has been covered with a thick layer of plaster and whitewashes more than once, - like an egg in a shell, it had to be carefully peeled off from the "cultural layers" of the past, to expose the original brickwork. It was just outside, but it had to be repaired inside and made suitable for receiving archaeological treasures. The renovation work is still a long way off, with an accumulation of 31,000 exhibits that need to be housed in Zaamin. But now the museum is already receiving visitors and tells them about the ancient culture of the Zaamin region. 

All findings from the settlements of Mazartepa, Kultepa, Urdatepa, Jartepa, and many other tepa, hills, mounds, witnesses of life from the 5th-3rd centuries BC. Irrigated and unirrigated pottery, which can be traced where the caravans went through Ustrushana to Sogdiana. The many ancient coins that have been found here speak of the vast geography of travelers and merchants. Jewelry, weapons, wares of iron and wood.

Very many textile, well-preserved finds - carpets, suzane, clothes. 

Many findings indicate that Zoroastrians, Nestorians, and Buddhists also settled on this land. There are five caves not far from Zaamin, which can be attributed to the settlements of fire-worshippers - household items and other amazing artifacts were brought to the museum from there. There were found burials of warriors in ostadons - assumptions, intricately shaped ceramics, decorated with signs.

Everything points to the fact that in ancient times there was a major ideological center here.

The museum is conveniently located along the main road, so it is worth stopping on the way to the reserve to open a page of the history of this wonderful region.