Sarazm is an archaeological site of a proto-urban settlement dating from the 4th millennium BCE to the end of the 3rd millennium BCE. The ruins demonstrate the early development of human settlements, with proto-urbanization, with signs of early cattle rearing, then agriculture and then of existence of commercial and cultural exchanges.

Sarazm is situated on a western tip of Tajikistan, some 5 km from the Uzbek border. The good news for 2019 is the re-opening of the border crossing, and so Samarkand is now only 50 km away. It is possible to visit on a day trip (most nationals will still need an e-visa for Tajikistan though). I made the long (but scenic) trip from Dushanbe on a perfect brand-new road with a local driver, as it is almost impossible to rent a car in Tajikistan. The site is next to the main road and easy to find.

Saraz was only rediscovered in 1976 and excavation soon started and are still in progress now (see picture). Four layers of stratification are interconnected.  The most important archeological finding on the site is the burial site of a woman with fine jewelry. She is called "the Lady of Sarazm" and her remains are displayed in the Museum of National Antiquities in Dushanbe.

The site is low key. It consists of several excavations sites some protected by metal roofing, in the middle of a much larger field. Plans for a parking area and a monumental gate to the field is being worked on. They seemed not to endanger the site though. Several explanation plaques allow better understanding on the remains.

Half-an-hour to an hour is sufficient to extensively visit this site. I would strongly recommend to allow some time for two nearby TL: the ancient town of Pendjekent and the Mausoleum of Mukhammad Bashoro.