The Legacy of the Silk Road

I grew up in a small rural town in west central Indiana where my history classes always focused on world history from a western perspective. Although we knew vaguely of the histories of China and India, we never studied the relationship between empires of the east and west before the time of Columbus. I am currently reading a book about Genghis Khan for my critical book review. This legendary leader conquered much of the Eurasian landmass during the thirteenth century CE, established the Mongol Empire, and controlled trading between East and West. Last week, while reading about the Roman and Han empires, I discovered that more than a thousand years before the rise of the Mongol Empire, these two ancient empires were already using the same trade routes to exchange goods across the continent.
The German geographer, Baron Ferdinand von Richthofen, coined the term “silk road” in nineteenth century to describe the multitude of trade routes across central Asia that linked China to the Mediterranean world. The Silk Road was the precursor to modern international trade, but merchants rarely, if ever, traveled the full length of the route. Pastoral people of the central Asian steppes facilitated trade between agrarian societies. It was the Silk Road that spread goods, ideas, diseases, and people across the Eurasian landmass. Silk was only one of many goods that moved between different civilizations such as the Roman Empire and Han Empire in China, but, due to its luxurious texture and brilliant coloring, it became the iconic item that symbolized the trade route. The Silk Road is a modern term, and to the westerner it carries with it a sense of mystery, romance, and adventure that modern western people associate with the Orient. Other things that traveled the Silk Road included carpets, metals, ceramics, fur, livestock, art, and religion, as well as people with their genes, immunities and diseases. Trade was facilitated when rulers of nations promoted and protected traders traveling within their territories, and, although empires rose and fell across Eurasia, trade continued. While learning about the Silk Road and exploring the internet, I came across some interesting websites that contained history about the Silk Road or how the legacy of the silk road is playing out in today’s cultures.

The Caves of Dunhuang:
Dunhaung was a city along the Silk Road in western china where in the early 1900’s, archaeologists discovered a Buddhist cave library containing over 40,000 manuscripts, paintings, and other artifacts relating to the cultures and peoples along the silk road. In what sounds like an Indiana Jones movie, the caves had been sealed in the first millennium and then rediscovered in the 1900’s. The New York Times has an interesting slid show featuring pictures of the caves and artifacts that archaeologists discovered.

International Dunhuang Project:
After archaeologists discovered the caves, the various items were distributed throughout the world. Because of political turmoil during the 20th century, it was nearly impossible to gain access to these items. The international Dunhuang project catalogues and conserves the artifacts and is a joint effort among British, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, and Germans to help preserve the legacy of the Silk Road. This website gives access to artifacts and allows one to view and learn about the discoveries made at the Dunhuang Caves.

The Silk Road Project:
The legacy of cross cultural exchange between nations on the silk road helped to inspire the famous cellist Yo Yo Ma to foster the exchange of musical traditions between artists and audiences from acround the globe. His focus is on linking education and music. The Silk Road Ensemble presents music for modern listeners from the countries along the ancient silk road.

The Silk Road Foundation:
This website has in depth information about all aspects of the silk road including cultural influences, articles, archaeological finds, maps, and many other resources pertaining to the history of the trade routes across Eurasia.

Other References:
Christian, David . "Silk Roads or Steppe Roads? The Silk Roads in World History." Journal of World History 11.1 (2000): 1-25. Web. JSTOR. Zumber Library, Grand Valley State University. 14 Oct. 2009.