Historical Silk Research Articles

ТРАНСПОРТНЫЕ КОРИДОРЫ ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЙ АЗИИ В СОЦИАЛЬНО-ЭКОЛОГИЧЕСКОМ ИЗМЕРЕНИИ

The article examines the socio-ecological aspects of creating transport corridors in Central Asia in the modern context. The region's unique geographical position has long attracted attention, becoming a key link between East and West, particularly along the historical Silk Road. In this regard, the environmental optimization of transport corridors is crucial for sustainable regional development. However, the increase in freight traffic amplifies human impact on the environment, leading to air, water, and soil pollution, as well as changes in the soil's chemical composition and microflora. The article offers recommendations to minimize the negative effects of multimodal transport corridors on the region’s ecosystem, a necessary step toward balancing economic growth with environmental preservation.

Assessing the Impact of New Silk Road Initiatives on Kazakhstan's Business Environment

This study conducts a comprehensive evaluation of four major regional economic integration initiatives along the New Silk Road in Eurasia: The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB), the New Silk Road (NSR), and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) program. By employing an expert-based analysis method, the research assesses the initiatives from the perspective of the Kazakhstani business environment, identifying critical criteria for successful economic integration, including intra-union trade, market expansion, supply chain optimization, regulatory harmonization, and access to financing. Drawing parallels with the historical Silk Road's focus on trade and economic prosperity, this research employs an expert-based analysis method to assess these modern initiatives from the perspective of the Kazakhstani business environment. Through structured expert panel assessments and statistical analysis, the study determines which initiatives offer the most tangible benefits to businesses in Kazakhstan and the broader region. The findings indicate that the SREB initiative scored highest overall, particularly in fostering regional economic development and business growth, with a total score of 197, followed by the EAEU with 181. The findings reveal that the SREB initiative scored highest overall, followed by the EAEU, indicating their strong potential for fostering regional economic development and business growth. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers and businesses navigating the complex landscape of Eurasian economic integration. It offers a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of new Silk Road initiatives in promoting regional prosperity and cooperation, with particular relevance to Kazakhstan's position in Central Asia.

Long-term outcomes of infliximab treatment in neuro-Behcet syndrome: A single-center retrospective study.

Behcet's syndrome is a rare inflammatory disorder characterized by oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions, and uveitis. It exhibits a higher prevalence along the historic Silk Road. Neuro-Behcet syndrome (NBS) affects the central nervous system and poses significant morbidity and mortality risks. Infliximab, a TNF-alpha antagonist, has shown potential in NBS management, although the current evidence is mainly derived from case series due to the lack of randomized controlled trials. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the disease outcomes during the first and second years following infliximab treatment in NBS patients experiencing attacks despite prior conventional immunosuppressive therapy. The study also sought to investigate the safety profile and adverse effects associated with infliximab. Fifty-three NBS patients were examined, with 22 receiving infliximab as either monotherapy or in combination with other therapies. Retrospective analysis was conducted on demographic data, clinical characteristics, and treatment responses. Treatment efficacy was measured using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) modified for NBS. The study adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist guidelines. Among the study cohort, 60.4% had parenchymal NBS, and 39.6% had nonparenchymal NBS. Treatment with infliximab resulted in remission or disease stabilization in 95% of patients after one year and 68.7% after 2years. Relapse rates were 4.5% at 1year and 18.7% at 2years, with disease progression observed in two cases. Adverse effects were primarily mild to moderate, with no reports of serious adverse events. Infliximab exhibited efficacy in achieving remission or stabilization in NBS patients, maintaining a favorable safety profile. The timing of infliximab treatment may prevent the accumulation of disability and hinder disease progression. Nonetheless, future prospective studies are necessary to confirm these findings and refine treatment strategies for this complex condition.

Revealing ancient yellow colorants in painted artworks along the silk Road (6th-10th century AD)

A comprehensive analytical protocol was undertaken to elucidate the yellow colorants employed in wall paintings from the Kizil Grottoes, the Taojia Tomb, the Baiyangzhai Tomb, and polychrome figurines from the Astana Tombs, all positioned along the historical Silk Road and dating to the 6th-10th centuries AD. To unequivocally identify these colorants, multi-analytical techniques were deployed, encompassing digital microscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), micro-Raman spectroscopy, and ultra-performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Triple TOF-MS/MS). This comprehensive approach facilitated the unambiguous identification of both inorganic pigments, specifically vanadinite, and plant-derived colorants, including gamboge (Garcinia sp.) and Chinese cork tree (Phellodendron chinense), within these archaeological artifacts. These findings not only significantly enhance our scientific understanding of the materials and techniques utilized in the creation of these wall paintings and polychrome figurines, but also shed light on the vibrant exchange of materials and technological advancements that flourished along the ancient Silk Road.

Digital Silk Roads: Leveraging the Metaverse for Cultural Tourism within the Belt and Road Initiative Framework

The advent of the Metaverse, a convergence of virtual and physical realities, presents unprecedented opportunities for promoting cultural tourism along the historic Silk Roads within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework. However, this emerging technology’s potential remains largely unexplored in the context of cultural heritage preservation and its promotion. The aim of this study is to address this gap by empirically examining how the Metaverse can be harnessed to improve tourists’ experiences, support sustainable tourism development, and promote cultural exchange along the Silk Roads. In this study, we employed a mixed-methods approach grounded in attribution theory, using both surveys and semi-structured interviews with Silk Road tourists who had been exposed to Metaverse applications. To investigate the relationships between Metaverse features, tourists’ attributions, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions, we used structural equation modeling and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that perceived immersion, avatar identification, and cultural authenticity significantly influenced tourists’ internal, stable, and controllable attributions. Interviews further highlighted the Metaverse’s potential to promote accessibility, interpretation, and engagement with Silk Road heritage, while also raising sociocultural and ethical considerations. This paper also showcases the development of Metaverse digital twin prototypes for several iconic Silk Road cities to demonstrate the potential for participatory virtual environments to promote cultural heritage preservation, accessibility, and sustainable tourism. The study’s findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of Metaverse tourism and the application of attribution theory, offering practical insight for the responsible and effective harnessing of this transformative technology. This research provides actionable recommendations for policymakers, destination managers, and technology providers to optimize the Metaverse’s potential for cultural tourism along the Silk Roads. This has great potential in promoting the BRI’s connectivity and cooperation objectives. This paper lays the foundation for future research and responsible innovation at the intersection of emerging technologies, cultural heritage, and sustainable tourism development.

From Shaheen-II to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: Pakistan-China Military and Economic Relations (2013-2023) At A Glance

For decades, Pakistan and China enjoyed cordial diplomatic relations, which have now been transformed into a long-standing strategic and economic partnership. The historic silk trade route, development of the Gwadar port, Chashma nuclear power plant, and manufacturing of JF-17 thunder fighter jets were some of the instances of this partnership from the past. In recent years, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), formally agreed upon in 2013, represents a joint commitment to cooperation and development by both states. Following China's "Belt and Road Initiative" (BRI), this project aims to utilize the Eurasian land bridge to connect Pakistan with Central Asia. Despite enormous challenges and threats to Pakistan-China relations posed by Pakistan's border issues, the CPEC is now partially functional, and both states are working on expanding it. With a particular emphasis on strategic and economic aspects, the current study analytically explores the nature of the Pakistan-China relationship. The qualitative approach is applied to identify the relationship changes between countries during 2013 and 2023. Primary and secondary data types will be relied on and utilized to explore the study's findings.

Unveiling the Use of Natural and Early Synthetic Dyes in Indonesian Historical Silk Textiles

Unveiling the Use of Natural and Early Synthetic Dyes in Indonesian Historical Silk Textiles

Historical silks: a novel method to evaluate their condition with ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and Principal Component Analysis

Understanding the conservation condition of historical silk yarn allows to define appropriate storage, care and display of historical silk collections. This paper discusses the characterisation of silk fabrics from a collection of traditional Japanese samurai armours which date back from the 16th to the 20th century (Morigi Collection, Museo delle Culture, Lugano, Switzerland). An analytical protocol to assess silk fabrics conditions was defined, based on microinvasive ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. In particular, the amide I and II region was studied in order to extrapolate the conformational information about silk proteins. According to literature, this kind of information can be related to different degradation stages. A linear correlation was found between the amide I and the amide II shifts, allowing to assess the silk fibre condition. Along with this bivariate approach based on intensity ratios, a multivariate approach based on Principal Component Analysis was also applied to ATR-FTIR spectra. This allowed to group together silks with the same state of preservation. The findings of this research offer a valuable method to researchers and conservators to identify the most damaged textiles; the differentiation between original and restoration materials was also possible in some cases.

Rywalizacja globalna a losy chińskiej Inicjatywy Pasa i Szlaku i świata

China’s contemporary Belt and Road Initiative (the “New Silk Road”) as the leading idea of China’s foreign policy in the President’s Xi Jinping era is an attempt to continue the unique tradition of the historical Silk Road. However, in the conditions of the present day, the great ideas of the Silk Road have to face in reality the challenges of the modern global world. The author shows the contemporary challenges (internal and external) facing international projects of the Belt and Road Initiative, and becoming their typical problems. The article could be used to formulate many multi-threaded conclusions, but in the end, the hope preveils that if the ideas of the Belt and Road were liberated from the context of global political competition, humanity would gain enormously. The conditions for accelerated economic growth would be created, promoting the idea of expansion based on peaceful cooperation, which – in the current era of tensions, unrest and a number of war outbreaks in the world – is particularly needed.

The association between Pakistan and the European Union, with a particular focus on trade

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate the bilateral relations between Pakistan and the European Union, with a specific emphasis on trade dynamics. The primary purpose is to explore the factors influencing trade between these two entities, delving into historical perspectives, contemporary developments, and future milestones set by the European Union and Commission. Design/methodology/approach: The objectives are achieved through a comprehensive analysis of trade data, policy documents, and relevant literature. The research employs a multi-faceted approach, encompassing both theoretical and empirical considerations. The theoretical scope extends from the historical Silk Road to the contemporary geopolitical landscape, while the empirical analysis involves a PEST analysis and examination of internal and external factors influencing trade. Findings: The research reveals significant insights into the factors shaping trade relations between Pakistan and the European Union. These findings are presented through a thorough analysis, discussion, and interpretation of results, providing a comprehensive understanding of the bilateral trade dynamics. Research limitations/implications: While offering valuable insights, this study recognizes potential limitations, such as data constraints and geopolitical factors. Suggestions for future research are provided, focusing on areas that could further enhance the understanding of the relationship and trade dynamics. Practical implications: The paper identifies outcomes and practical implications for businesses and enterprises engaged in trade between Pakistan and the European Union. Recommendations for changes in business practices are discussed, considering the potential commercial and economic impact of the findings. Social implications: The study assesses the social impact of the Pakistan-European Union trade relationship, exploring how it influences public attitudes, corporate social responsibility, and environmental considerations. The research may inform public and industry policies, potentially affecting the overall quality of life. Originality/value: This paper contributes novelty by offering new insights into the dynamics of the Pakistan-European Union relationship, specifically in the context of trade. Its value lies in its relevance to policymakers, businesses, and researchers interested in understanding and enhancing this bilateral association Keywords: Trade dynamics, Bilateral relations, Pakistan, European Union, Geopolitical landscape. Category of the paper: Review Article

Water as a Commodity based on Epic “Manas”: A Semiotic Perspective

This paper explores the role of water as a commodity in Kyrgyzstan from a semiotic perspective, drawing parallels between the historic Silk Road and contemporary debates surrounding water resources. It analyzes the semiotics of water, examining its representation, interpretation, and symbolic significance in the context of regional cooperation and resource management. By applying semiotic frameworks to understand the complexities of water governance, this study sheds light on the socio-political dynamics shaping water policies in Central Asia. The concept of the Great Silk Road holds immense historical and cultural significance as a symbol of connectivity and exchange between East and West. The semiotic analysis encompasses a variety of sources, including visual representations of the Silk Road's logo and imagery, along with literary works like John Masefield's poem “Cargoes” and the epic Manas. Through a comparison of the traded goods on the Silk Road in the West and the Silk Road in the East, this study reveals the similarities and differences in the portrayal of goods, the evolution of trade, and the cultural interactions facilitated by this ancient trade network. By shedding light on the semiotic dimensions of the Great Silk Road, this paper contributes to a deeper understanding of its historical and cultural significance, enriching our comprehension of this remarkable historical phenomenon.

ADDRESSING CLASS IMBALANCE FOR TRAINING A MULTI-TASK CLASSIFIER IN THE CONTEXT OF SILK HERITAGE

Abstract. Collecting knowledge in the form of databases consisting of images and descriptive texts that represent objects from past centuries is a fundamental part of preserving cultural heritage. In this context, images with known information about depicted artifacts can serve as a source of information for automated methods to complete existing collections. For instance, image classifiers can provide predictions for different object properties (tasks) to semantically enrich collections. A challenge in this context is to train such classifiers given the nature of existing data: Many images do not come along with a class label for all tasks (incomplete samples) and class distributions are commonly imbalanced. In this paper, these challenges are addressed by a multi-task training strategy for a classifier based on a convolutional neural network (SilkNet) that requires images with class labels for the tasks to be learned. The proposed approach can deal with incomplete training examples, while implicitly taking interdependencies between tasks into account. Extensions of the training approach with a focus on hard examples during training as well as the use of an auxiliary feature clustering are developed to counteract problems with class imbalance. Evaluation is conducted based on a dataset consisting of images of historical silk fabrics with labels for five tasks, i.e. silk properties. A comparison of different variants of the classifier shows that the extensions of the training approach significantly improve the classifier’s performance; the average F1-score is up to 5.0% larger, where the largest improvements occur with underrepresented classes of a task (up to +14.3%).

The Dunhuang Caves: Showcasing the Artistic Development and Social Interactions of Chinese Buddhism between the 4th and the 14th Centuries

The Dunhuang Caves, situated in China's Gansu Province, are renowned globally for their significant collection of murals, sculptures, architecture, and ancient Buddhist manuscripts. These caves, established along the historic Silk Road, encapsulate a rich tapestry of cultural exchange and artistic evolution spanning from the 4th to the 14th centuries. Comprising sites like the Mogao Caves and the Yulin Caves, they not only stand as reservoirs of ancient Buddhist art but also highlight intersections between Buddhism and neighboring Central Asian and Chinese cultures. The evolution of the Dunhuang Caves' art is segmented into periods mirroring Chinese dynasties, showcasing diverse influences from various regions, marking the journey from purely religious symbols to a more secularized and inclusive representation. Concurrently, the Caves mirror the secularization trajectory of Buddhism in China. Beyond their artistic merit, the Dunhuang Caves played a pivotal role socially, reflecting the intertwined relationships between Buddhism, society, and the Chinese ruling elite. As Buddhism assimilated into Chinese life, its representation in the Dunhuang Caves evolved, ultimately serving both spiritual and political purposes. This study delves into the artistic progression and the multifaceted social implications of the Dunhuang Caves' existence.

Structure and stable isotope ratios of ancient and artificially aged silk fabrics

Understanding the degradation of silk fibers and tracing silk fabrics from archeological sites have always been challenging. The stable isotope technique provides the possibility to trace ancient textiles, especially for the controversial issue of the silk origin. Chinese historic silk fabrics from the Xia dynasty (about 4000 years ago), Warring States period (B.C. 475- B.C. 221), Tang dynasty (A.D. 618- A.D. 907), Southern Song period (A.D. 1127- A.D. 1279), Ming dynasty (A.D. 1368- A.D.1644), and Qing dynasty (A.D. 1636- A.D. 1912) as well as some artificially aged silk specimens have been examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) to investigate their degradation for traceability and preservation. It has been found that the surface morphology and secondary structure of silk were destroyed in the degradation process. Under most aging modes, the silk fabrics were enriched with heavy stable isotopes after degradation. In the case of charring, the isotopic ratios of heavy hydrogen and oxygen isotopes showed different variation tendencies, which need to be further studied for better understanding. The results revealed that stable isotope ratios of silk fabrics are affected by different aging conditions. The degradation of silk fabrics is an important cause of stable isotope offset in historical silk fabrics. Overall, this study provides useful insights into the silk degradation mechanism and can serve as a useful reference for tracing the rich textile heritage.

Revival of the Silk Road legacy. Examining how China uses history to legitimize its ‹‹Belt and Road Initiative››

This article is an interdisciplinary inquiry into the usage of historical silk routes by the Chinese as a popular narrative for the modern BRI. While looking at the archaeological trace, the historiography and other dimensions, this article would unfold how the nostalgia on the ‘Silk Routes’ have been rejuvenated for an ambitious geopolitical project. Taking both land and maritime silk routes into the consideration, this paper would further consider the position of historical narratives for the geopolitical ambitions of the 21st century.

Ex Situ and In Situ Artificial Thermo-Aging Study of the Natural Degradation of Bombyx mori Silk Fibroin

This study investigates the degradation mechanism of silk fibroin through Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The secondary structure of silk fibroin-based materials is monitored using FTIR, and various estimators are calculated to assess the impact of degradation conditions and aging time. The oxidation estimator shows consistent growth, indicating peptide bond oxidation from the early stages of artificial aging, regardless of the conditions. The environment influences the hydrolysis estimator, with water introduction leading to significant changes. The crystallinity estimator reflects the overall degradation level, affected by oxidation and hydrolysis. XRD and FTIR analysis of historical silk banners up to 500 years old demonstrate a decrease in crystallinity and an increase in hydrolysis and oxidation. The presence of water accelerates the oxidation process, while crystallinity changes are primarily driven by oxidation. Fibroin degradation affects both antiparallel and parallel regions, with water playing a crucial role in accelerating hydrolysis and causing structural shifts. This study enhances our understanding of silk fibroin degradation and provides valuable insights for preserving historical silk artifacts.

Sravnitel'noe issledovanie professional'nogo vokal'nogo muzykal'nogo obrazovaniya Kitaya i Rossii v kontekste iniciativy «Odin poyas, odin put'»

Vocal music education has a rich history in both China and Russia, with both countries boasting a variety of educational institutions and programs designed to train aspiring musicians. However, there are also noticeable differences in their teaching methods and techniques. Against the background of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative aimed at expanding cooperation and exchanges between countries along the historical Silk Road, this article aims to conduct a comparative analysis of professional vocal and musical education in China and Russia. In particular, we will look at the history of vocal and music education in both countries, study the main institutions and programs of vocal and music education, as well as analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the respective approaches to learning.

A Rare Case of Behçet Disease Presenting with sepsis, Pulmonary Embolism and Right Ventricular Thrombus

Behçet Disease is a chronic systemic inflammatory disorder that manifests as recurring mouth ulcers and a number of systemic symptoms, such as genital ulcers, eye disease, skin lesions, arthritis, genital warts and gastrointestinal, neurologic, or vascular disease. Both men and women are equally affected by it, and it is most frequent along the historic Silk Road, which runs from eastern Asia to the Mediterranean region. The majority of people begin to exhibit symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40. (1) We describe a rare case of a 21-year-old man with two right ventricular masses and pulmonary embolism due to a not yet diagnosed Behçet’s disease.

Occupation of highland Central Asia: New evidence from Kurteke rockshelter, Eastern Pamir

The highlands of Central Asia played a crucial role in cultural development across the later Holocene, serving to foster the diffusion of cultural elements by late prehistoric populations and to support the trans-Eurasian exchange routes of the historic Silk Road. However, the early chronology of human occupation in many areas of Inner Asia – particularly the high Pamir Mountains – remains poorly understood. Intensive archaeological study of this area by Soviet archaeologists first began between 1950 and 1970, at which time scholars theorized that the earliest human occupation in the high valleys dates to the Final Pleistocene. To explore early human history in this key region of cultural transmission, a joint expedition conducted new excavations at the archaeological site of Kurteke, confirming that there was human presence in the area as far back as 14 ka BP, and that it persisted discontinuously until the Bronze Age (ca. 4000BP). We applied a multidisciplinary archaeological and paleoenvironmental approach to investigate early human activity at the site, including lithic analysis, absolute dating, and zooarchaeological and archaeobotanical analyses.

Historical Silk: A Novel Method to Evaluate Degumming with Non-Invasive Infrared Spectroscopy and Spectral Deconvolution.

To correctly manage a collection of historical silks, it is important to detect if the yarn has been originally subjected to degumming. This process is generally applied to eliminate sericin; the obtained fiber is named soft silk, in contrast with hard silk which is unprocessed. The distinction between hard and soft silk gives both historical information and useful indications for informed conservation. With this aim, 32 samples of silk textiles from traditional Japanese samurai armors (15th-20th century) were characterized in a non-invasive way. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy has been previously used to detect hard silk, but data interpretation is challenging. To overcome this difficulty, an innovative analytical protocol based on external reflection FTIR (ER-FTIR) spectroscopy was employed, coupled with spectral deconvolution and multivariate data analysis. The ER-FTIR technique is rapid, portable, and widely employed in the cultural heritage field, but rarely applied to the study of textiles. The ER-FTIR band assignment for silk was discussed for the first time. Then, the evaluation of the OH stretching signals allowed for a reliable distinction between hard and soft silk. Such an innovative point of view, which exploits a "weakness" of FTIR spectroscopy-the strong absorption from water molecules-to indirectly obtain the results, can have industrial applications too.