Abstract
This paper focuses on evaluation of various types of evidence relating both to the hypothetic direct and indirect Roman presence in western Central Asia, more precisely in key regions of Bactria and Sogdiana, countries generally perceived as vertebrae on the backbone of Eurasian main trade routes in Roman Imperial / Han period inappropriately nicknamed Silk Roads. We assess archaeological evidence of contacts between Roman Empire and these lands.
Rather small number of Roman imports and their specific nature leads us to doubts about the generally presumed importance of overland trade routes in Roman / Han period.