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On Ancient Central-Asian Tracks : vol.1 |
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their remarkable preservation, had there not been striking
evidence on the very ground near them how little wind ero-
sion, that greatest foe of ancient remains in a practically
rainless region, could assert its force on this flat surface of
gravel. Again and again I noted that the footprints left as
I had ridden past more than a month before looked abso-
lutely fresh. All the same it was a surprise when return-
ing here seven years later on my third expedition I was still
able to recognize my own footprints and in some cases even
those of my ever-active fox terrier 'Dash II'.
Adaptation to all important natural features and careful
use of whatever advantages they offered had obviously
played a decisive part in the planning of this ancient line
of defence. This was fully demonstrated by our survey,
where the westernmost section of its wall proved to have
terminated. So far the line of wall extended along the route
towards Lop, which it obviously was meant to protect and
watch. Then close to the point where the Su-lo-ho bed is
crossed it turned sharply to the south-west, and after a
stretch of some twenty-four miles ended on marshy ground.
The explanation is that the Limes had at its turning-point
reached the extreme north-eastern corner of the great ter-
minal basin of the Su-lo-ho. This extends over an area of
some 300 square miles filled with lakes and marshes, quite
impassable during most of the year. Thus the Limes could
here rest its flank securely for a great distance upon ground
that offered effective protection from attack by mounted
men.
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