Abstract:

About 8000 km long, the historical Silk Road was the world's most comprehensive trade and social communication network. Via this route, East, South and Southeast Asia maintained contact with the Mediterranean, North Africa and Europe. The inception of the Silk Road is ascribed to the Chinese explorer Chiang Chien's travel to Central Asia in 138B.C.; however, it is of no doubt that there was an ancient trade route dating as far back as the Bronze Age. Even though the term Silk Road was first coined in 1877, in addition to the trade of numerous goods, the Road also witnessed travelers such as adventurers, politicians, missionaries who all set out the long journey for various purposes. The Silk Road, which has connected civilizations through many routes, continues to serve as the world's major cultural and historical meeting point between nations and continents.

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