Establishment of the Silk Route Essays -- Chinese History

Currently living in the twenty first century we can take modern travel methods from airplanes, vehicles, trains, and ships for granted, altering our perception of the distance we travel significantly. These advanced distribution systems we now employ allow us to exchange culture, products, technology, and ideas by breaking down barriers, truly globalizing the world. Similar to the modern travel marvels we make the most of today, years ago before human’s relationship to machine, the silk route provided that ability to connect multiple countries. This important trade route developed over time transferring numerous products like silk from China to several countries in the Middle East, Mediterranean, Europe and Ancient India. In addition, the silk route was more than just a trade route that brought products to and from because it developed into a transcontinental network carrying goods, information, religion, language, and technology. The Silk Route is indisputably one of the oldest international trade routes consisting of a series of roadways laid over land primarily, until the introduction of sea travel. What initiated the overwhelming interest in trade was one of the oldest fibers known to man, silk, that originated in China. Silk is a luxury fabric that can be woven into textiles, producing a rich texture and luster like no other material. Dating back to 2500BC this exotic material was used exclusively for Chinese royalty, but gradually expanded to become a bigger part of the Chinese culture. Since this unique material was considered more valuable than gold at the time, as soon as word got out to neighboring countries the overwhelming interest was inevitable. The demand for this appealing material brought silk westwar... ...esearch. Web. 14 May 2012. . "Silk History: History of Silk Fabric; History of Chinese Silk; Silk Road History Silks History." Silk History: History of Silk Fabric; History of Chinese Silk; Silk Road History Silks History. TexereSilk, 2011. Web. 14 May 2012. . "Silk Road - Its History, Development, Operation and Significance to the East and West." Silk Road - Its History, Development, Operation and Significance to the East and West. Web. 14 May 2012. . "Silk Road Culture Exchange, Religion and Technology Introduced into China via Silk Road." TravelChinaGuide. Web. 14 May 2012. .