The Ancients Origins of the Silk Road
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May 4, 2024 Discover the origins of the Silk Road in Bronze Age Central Asia, where communities facilitated the exchange of precious metals and technologies. Explore early trade connections between China and southwest Asia, emphasizing the cultural and commercial exchanges that shaped the ancient world. Learn about the evolution of metallurgical practices in Central Asia and the vital role played by pastoral communities in building the world's first global trading route.
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Silk Road Origins
- The Silk Road, a global exchange network, originated in the Bronze Age, earlier than its medieval association.
- This network facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and technologies between East and West.
Early Trade Networks
- Bronze Age communities in Central Asia connected East and West as early as 3500 BC.
- These communities traded metals with established empires like the Shang Dynasty and Indus Valley Civilization.
Steppe Communities' Role
- Smaller Steppe communities, not large empires, fueled the first global exchange network.
- These communities supplied metals and facilitated the spread of technologies like chariots.