Khwarazm

He said, it was supposed to have been the capital of Khaurism, under the Culmauks, whom we call Calmucks. That these were slain, in an invasion by Russia. That the late Khaun purposed rebuilding this city, and had walled it accordingly ; but that, in digging, some monstrous human bones were found, which proved it to have been a cemetery of giants.

…we came to the city Jurgantz, which appeared to have been a large place; but now was entirely in ruins, no other building remaining than a mosque. Here our company were very devout: they offered their prayers to heaven for their safe journey, and then went in search of gold, which they said, they had frequently found washed out by the rains from amongst the ruins of this city.

The extent of this city was perhaps one mile by half a mile, with extensive suburbs on the north. At the east angle is the citadel, a brick fort of square figure, flanked by eight circular, and projecting bastions. … but the whole is now a ruin, as is the ancient city ; the walls of the latter, which were probably of unbaked brick, having subsided into mere mounds.

On the north of the site, (I speak at hazard,) stands a brick column, erected by Chenghis Khaun. It is the frustrum of an extremely taper cone, surmounted by a cylinder, and is very sufficiently ugly. It has no base, and its sole ornaments have been zones of bricks, of alternating patterns.