The Golden Road
Donny MacLeod reaches Uzbekistan, on the Afghanistan border, where he finds the people owe more to the Orient and Islam for their culture. MacLeod travels the Golden Road to Samarkand', the dusty vestiges of the great trading route that once carried caravans of camels, and splendidly caparisoned elephants. Samarkand itself was the creation of the great conqueror Tamerlane, the 'pearl of his universe '. Today, after years of neglect, the race is on to restore the ancient buildings which reflect one of the most glorious eras of architectural achievement.
Produced and directed by PETER HERCOMBE BBC Birmingham