Ancient Khotan 26 - North-west corner of excavated area at Yotkan, with entrance to Yotkan-yar - Yotkan was the medieval capital and predecessor of Khotan town - located in its western suburb. A few years prior to Stein's visit a flood had dug a channel exposing deep layers of the ancient remains in which there were significant flakes of gold and other artifacts. This set the local population into gold digging and excavating wider and wider areas - the poor photograph illustrates the results as Stein found them. He was eager to buy whatever coins, ceramics or other items he could buy.