The Silk Road The World’s First Internet

World’s First Internet To the many merchants, wandering armies, and adventurers of our ancient civilizations, the Silk Road served as an important communication link between cultures and economies. During the time of the Han Dynasty (206 BCE CE), this trade route was possibly the world's first "Internet," linking Asia to Europe and Africa.

Silk Road vs. Internet People commonly use the internet to shop, to communicate, for entertainment, and even to see new parts of the world. The Silk Road provided the same options, they just happened a little slower!

Production of Silk Do you own anything that is made from silk? Do you know how those products are made? –Sericulture or silk production has a long and colorful history unknown to most people. For centuries the West knew very little about silk and the people who made it. –Go to this link and read more about silk production

Cities, ports, and towns There were many places to stop along the Silk Road. Here merchants could buy and sell their goods. These cities grew as more and more people began to move along the trade route. Use this website to read about important trade cities along the route:

Empires and Cultures The Silk Road is an old trade route. There are many cultures and empires that have that have made fortunes from the international trade. More than just goods, “Non-Tangible” things were traded too. Things like religions, ideas, and knowledge. Go back to

Foreign Influences on Chinese Culture China was heavily influenced by new ideas and goods brought from far off places. One important item that was imported by the Han Chinese was the camel. The camel was good at traveling across the rough terrain of China. It was also very good a carrying heavy amounts, which appealed to the traders. The camel eventually became associated with wealth since many traders who used the animal ended up very rich

Foreign Influences on Chinese Culture (Cont) Chinese architecture was also shaped by interactions along the Silk Road. After visiting Buddhist monasteries, Chinese travelers told stories of the giant Buddhist temples. Many Chinese shrines and government buildings were designed in the Indian Buddhist style They called these buildings pagodas

Chinese Buddhist Temples These are only a few examples of Buddhist temples and shrines. Unfortunately, many Buddhist temples have been destroyed over the years due to Communist rule in China.

Temples from Around Asia Cambodia

Foreign Influences on Chinese Culture (Cont) One of the most important ideas that came along the Silk Road was the religion Buddhism. The religion entered China during the Han Dynasty and gained in popularity. The influence of Buddhism grew to so much that vast amounts of financial ($) and human hours were used on the creation of impressive works of art and elaborate temples.

Images of Buddha By the time Buddhism reached China, images and statues of the Buddha played a major role in devotional practices. The Buddha is usually shown sitting, without fancy clothes or jewelry. Otherworldly features are highlighted while human characteristics are de- emphasized.