By Erin Lynch Ms. Palmers class

 Born in Venice, Italy in 1254  First European to explore Chinese culture and document his travels  His father was a traveling merchant  It was his father that introduced exploration to Marco Alter, Judy. Extraordinary Explorers nd Adventures. Children's press, 2001.

 At age 17 Marco traveled to China  He traveled with his father and uncle  They traveled for 3 years on the Great Silk Road  They passed through many exotic lands. Alter, Judy. Extraordinary Explorers nd Adventures. Children's press, 2001.

 Marco met Kublai Kahn the emperor of the Mongols.  The Mongols were the rulers of China  Kublai Kahn made Marco a senior official to his court.  Marco traveled for nearly 20 years throughout China. Marshall, Davis. Explorers. New York: Mallard P, 1991.

 Constantinople  Japan  Siberia  Sri Lanka  Sumatra  Malaya  China

 He documented his travels of China  He told his story to a writer while he was a prisoner of war.  The writer was Rusticiano of Pisa  The book was called The Travels of Marco Polo  People did not believe his stories until recently  His book inspired other explorers, including Christopher Columbus. Marshall, Davis. Explorers. New York: Mallard P, 1991.

He discovered the use of the spice ginger He found that the Chinese invented gun powder He found that the Chinese printed books with stamps long before it was developed in Europe. The Chinese used paper money before Europeans did.

 Marco’s findings made it possible for others to explore China further.  His book is a valuable source for studying early Chinese history.  Marco Polo died in 1324 at age 70  He said before he died “that he did not record half of what he saw”. Alter, Judy. Extraordinary Explorers nd Adventures. Children's press, 2001.