Ancient Alabaster Road Discovered

MOSCOW [AP] - Archaeologists in the Central Asian nation of Tajikistan have found a road paved with alabaster that dates from Alexander the Great's empire in the 4th century B.C.

The road led to a temple that combined Greek culture brought by Alexander with local traditions, the ITAR-Tass news agency reported yesterday, quoting Anzhelina Druzhinina, head of the archaeological team.

The site is in strife-torn southern Tajikistan near the Pyandzh River, which runs between the impoverished former Soviet republic and Afghanistan.

The road was made of alabaster and crushed stone covered with clay putty, Druzhinina said. The archaeologists have excavated a section of the road and parts of the temple, but she said they have no money to finish the work.

Alexander, king of Macedonia, united Greece under his command and then headed east in 334 B.C. for the greatest conquest of ancient times. He reached northeastern India before turning back toward Egypt, where he died of fever in 323 B.C. at age 33.