Innermost Asia: A Detailed Report of the Explorations in Central Asia, Afganistan, Iran, Tibet & China

by Aurel Stein

Sir Aurel Stein's name is notably associated with the extensive excavations and explorations in the Central and Innermost Asia. He undertook several exploration journeys to the interior of Asia and used Sanskrit, Persian, Chinese, Turkish, Greek and Latin as scholarly tools to unlock the geographical puzzles. He unearthed numerous long buried sites in the desert sands of Central Asia, exposing a long forgotten civilisation and ancient remains and culture of a very rich heritage. Innermost Asia constitutes the story of his rediscovering the Ancient Silk Route from the passage land of westernmost China across the Tarim basin to the uppermost reaches of Oxus and to Iran and Hindukush valleys.

Hardcover

About the author

Sir Marc Aurel Stein (usually known as Aurel Stein) KCIE, FBA (Hungarian: Stein Márk Aurél) (26 November 1862 – 26 October 1943) was a Hungarian-British archaeologist, primarily known for his explorations and archaeological discoveries in Central Asia. He was also a professor at various Indian universities.

Stein was born in Budapest into a Jewish family. His parents had him and his brother, Ernst Eduard, baptised as Lutherans, while his parents and sisters remained Jews (a common way at the time to increase the chance of one's sons being successful). He later became a British citizen and made his famous expeditions with British sponsorship.