https://archaeologymag.com/2026/07/greek-military-camp-in-uzbekistan-alexander-the-great/
Good find...
A lot of work went into it, a canal several kilometres long to bring water for a start. Seems somebody had longer term plans for it. Perhaps a campaign base at least, to be used over a number of years?
Quote from: Jim Webster on Jul 11, 2026, 07:09 AMPerhaps a campaign base at least, to be used over a number of years?
I very much suspect so. If one looks at what the Sasanians do on
their northern frontier around the Gorgan wall, we find large fortified sites but with no discernible permanent structures within. These have, plausibly in my view, been interpreted as campaign or muster bases for excursions further north against nomadic folk, for mobile forces; somewhere to pasture, water and pitch tents. Yes, a few centuries separate the Graeco-Bactrians and the Sasanians, but the military challenges are probably pretty constant. Alternatively, and not that different, perhaps taxation collection and trading points for liaison with nomadic pastoralists on the margin of empire, or a form of caravanserai? All worth effort in terms of a reliable water supply and basic defences, but not necessarily needing a lot more than that within the palisade.
Indeed they could serve all those ends simultaneously. A fortified caravanserai so merchants felt they had a safe base in the area. A small garrison who could provide security for a handful of tax collectors and administrators, but also somewhere a larger force could gather when colonial policing had to get more muscular.