Analysisof the Silk Road’s Impact on Cultural Diffusion.

APlan of Investigation

This investigation aims to examine the impact of the Silk Road, a trade route connecting Eastern China and the Mediterranean regions, on cultural diffusion. The significance of the Silk Road lies in its role in facilitating trade and exchange of goods and ideas between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. This investigation will focus on two main aspects: cultural diffusion between east and west, and the spread of religion. The time period under examination ranges from the 2nd to late 17th centuries, with specific emphasis on Europe, the Middle East, and China. To conduct this analysis, we will thoroughly study historical books such as Horizon Book Division’s History of China, John S. Bowman’s Exploration in the World of Ancients, and Daniel Waugh’s “THE SILK ROADS IN HISTORY”.

Summary of Evidence

The Silk Road was a trade route that connected the east and west, although it is actually a series of roads inaccurately named by Ferdinand von Richthofen in the 19th century. Traders typically did not travel the entire length of the route, as goods were often traded multiple times before reaching their final destination.
From Asia and China, items such as silk, spices, textiles, ivory, jade, bronze objects, ceramics, lacquarware, flowers,
furs,paper,jewelry,minerals,horses,and exotic plants and animals were traded.
From the west, goods included wool, linen, coins, bullion, ambergris, gold,
i&vory,& ámber, códher precious stones , beads ,&nbspprecious stones
–>,beads , glass (a commodity that China did not produce at the time).

Works Cited

1. Bowman, John. Exploration in the World of the Ancients. New York: Facts on File, 2005. Fitzgerald, C. P.. The Horizon History of China. New York: American Heritage, 1969.
2. Grotenhuis, Elizabeth Ten. “Stories of Silk and Paper.” World Literature Today 80, no. 4 (July 2006): 10-12. Literary Reference Center, EBSCOhost (accessed April 16, 2014).
3. Jones-Leaning, Melanie, and Douglas Pratt. “Islam in China: From Silk Road to Separatism.” Muslim World 102, no. 2 (April 2012): 308-334. History Reference Center, EBSCOhost (accessed April 8, 2014).
4. “Silk Road.” Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition (September 2013): 1. Literary Reference Center, (accessed April 16, 2014).
5. Waugh, Daniel C. “THE SILK ROADS IN HISTORY.” Expedition 52, no. 3 (Winter2010 2010): 9-22. Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost (accessed April 7, 2014).