Marco Polo in Central Asia: 12: Kingdom of Creman

Creman is a kingdom anciently belonging to Persia, and which is used to be governed by a hereditary prince; but since the Tartar conquered it, he appoints what deputy he pleases.  In those regions stones called turquoise are in abundance.  They are found in the mountains and excavated from rocks.  The inhabitants make all things necessary for troops such as reins, saddles, bows, arrows, quivers, and all kinds of arms according to the custom of the country.  The ladies work very neatly clothes of gold and silk with the needles depicting beasts, birds and many other objects. In the mountains, they rear the finest falcons in the world.  Though small than the peregrine species, they fly so swiftly that no bird can escape them.  When a man leaves the city of Creman, he travels seven days through the towns, finding much amusements, because there are great numbers of wild beasts and birds.  At the end of these seven days, he comes to the downward slope of the mountain, and continues this coming down for two days.  There are enough fruits, but scant habitation, save shepherds and their flocks.  During winter it is very cold and a man cannot safely travel without clothes suitable to the season.

Note:-
1. Creman: Modern city of Kerman, in Kerman province of Iran.  The city was famous for Cashmere wool shawls, from around CE 725.  At the time of Marco Polo's visit around 1270, the city was an emporium linking Persian Gulf with Persia and Central Asia.

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