Abstract
AbstractThe Silk Road trade network was arguably the most important network of global exchange and interaction prior to the fifteenth century. On the question of how and when it developed, scholars have focused mainly on the role of either the empires dominating the two ends of the trade network or the nomadic empires on the Eurasian steppe. The sedentary people of Central Asia have, however, mostly been neglected. This article traces the development of the city-states of the Tarim Basin in eastern Central Asia, from c. 2000 bce to 400 bce. It argues that the development of the city-states of the Tarim Basin is closely linked to the rise of the ancient Silk Road and that the interaction between the Tarim polities, the nomads of the Eurasian steppe and the Han Empire was the central dynamic in the creation of the ancient Silk Road network in eastern Central Asia.
Highlights
Suppliers and buyers respectively, with the Parthian and sometimes Kushan empires as “middlemen”, monopolizing and profiting from this long-distance trade. (Varieties of this explanation are presented by Boulnois 1966; Thorley 1979, 1971, 1969; Ferguson and Keynes 1978; Liu 2010; and McLaughlin 2010)
It argues that the development of the city-states of the Tarim Basin is closely linked to the rise of the ancient Silk Road and that the interaction between the Tarim polities, the nomads of the Eurasian steppe and the Han Empire was the central dynamic in the creation of the ancient Silk Road network in eastern Central Asia
In this “traditional” narrative, the opening of the Silk Road trade network is usually dated to the end of the second century BCE, to Zhang Qian’s first expedition towards the west in around 138 BCE. Others have connected it to the Han general, Li Guangli’s, first military expedition into the Tarim Basin towards Dayuan (Ferghana) in 104 BCE. Especially those focusing on the Central Asian Bronze Age or the history of the vast Eurasian steppe zones, have emphasized the role of the steppe peoples of Central Asia in the Silk Road trade network
Summary
Suppliers and buyers respectively, with the Parthian and sometimes Kushan empires as “middlemen”, monopolizing and profiting from this long-distance trade. (Varieties of this explanation are presented by Boulnois 1966; Thorley 1979, 1971, 1969; Ferguson and Keynes 1978; Liu 2010; and McLaughlin 2010). These burial practices, taken together with the very limited number of prestigious items seen at the Xintala and Haladun sites (Chen and Hiebert 1995: 265), suggest a low level of social stratification and fairly egalitarian societies in the early Tarim oasis settlements.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
