gems, spinel, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, balas ruby, Kuh-i-Lal, lapis lazuli, Central Asia

The book covers the history of the development of mining in Central Asia in the 16th–19th centuries. Making extensive use of literary and numerous archival sources, the author shows which minerals were known, mined and processed by the inhabitants of Central Asia during this period. Along with a description of the techniques and technology used for extracting minerals, the book addresses certain social and legal issues associated with mining in the Central Asian territories of the late Middle Ages.