An icehouse, of course. We couldn't believe that this structure could hold ice for up to 2.5 years! ..On good years with lots of snow, people would pack the snow and cut ice blocks from it, in order to keep food cool the warm summer months.
At this holy site, we were a bit stymied trying to figure out what the hair pins were for. Maybe a prayer for a baby girl?
These camels take a mid-afternoon rest outside small Kyz Kala at Merv. © UncorneredMarket.com