Silk Road Research Articles

Interplays and Interactions on the Maritime and Overland Silk Roads in the First Millennium ce

This article concerns the contacts and interactions that took place on the Maritime Silk Road during the first millennium ce. The term ‘Maritime Silk Road’, like the ‘Silk Road’ itself, can be quite vague. It has come to mean any trade or travel from Japan and Korea across the sea routes of East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, to the Mediterranean and Europe. The focus here, however, follows the subject of the October 2021 ‘China, India and Iran’ conference in Cambridge, where the article was first delivered, and is confined to China, Southeast Asia, India and Persia. It first explains how my interest in this topic came about. Then it highlights some of the ways in which these interconnections manifested themselves during the first millennium by analysing examples from the Chinese dynastic histories and the travel accounts of Buddhist pilgrims. Finally, it discusses two sets of examples of these phenomena mentioned in Rong Xinjiang’s 榮新江, Sichou zhilu yu dong-xi wenhua jiaoliu 絲綢之路與東西文化交流. One of these examples concerns China’s relations with the Abbasid Caliphate (750–1258 ce) during the Tang period (618–907), and the other concerns the overland and maritime movement of Persian nobles and merchants to China after the fall of the Sasanian Empire (224–651 ce), and their integration into Chinese society.

Prevalence, types, and characteristics of headache in Behcets disease without involvement of the central nervous system in the Syrian population: a case-cohort study.

Oral ulcers, genital ulcers, and uveitis represent the typical trial of Behcet's disease (BD). It is well common on the Old Silk Road. The mucocutaneous lesions are the hallmark of BD, but neurological involvement is one of the severe symptoms. Headaches may be an early sign of BD neurological involvement. This study aims to investigate the headache prevalence and its types, and characteristics in a Syrian sample of BD patients. BD patients were clinically interviewed and examined to collect their information, symptoms, and signs. the International Study Group for Behcet's Disease diagnosis criteria was used to confirm the BD diagnosis. The International Classification of headaches was used when classifying the headaches. One hundred twenty participants were included in the study. half of them were BD patients and the control group was also 60 participants. Among Syrian BD patients, 36.7% suffer from primary headaches and 36.7% suffer from secondary headaches. These findings were not significantly different between the BD patients and the healthy population. Our results showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Headache should not be considered a predictor for neurological involvement among BD patients. Additional attention to BD patients or the specific treatment for headaches is not required and does not differ from the general population.

An Exploration of Some Predictors of Quality of Life-Related to the Innate Immune System, Inflammation, and Disease Activity in Patients with Behcet's Syndrome: An Analytical Cross-sectional Study.

Behçet's disease (BD) has a growing prevalence in Silk Road countries. The aim of our cross-sectional study was to explore the clinical and molecular predictors of quality of life in BD patients. One hundred and fifty consecutive Iranian BD patients with an age range between 20-50 years were included. The Leeds Behçet's disease quality of life (BDQoL) in Persian form was fulfilled to evaluate the quality of life. Anthropometric measurements were carried out using the calibrated scales. Iranian Behcet's Disease Dynamic Activity Measure (IBDDAM), Behcet's disease current activity form (BDCAF), and Total Inflammatory Activity Index (TIAI) were used to assess BD activity. mRNA expression of toll-like receptors 2 and 4 (TLR2 and TLR4) and tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in serum were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and ELISA, respectively. Multiple linear backward regression at P = 0.1 was used to study the potential predictors of quality of life. TLR2 and BDCAF were shown to be the most important predictors of quality of life in BD patients by 22%. There were positive associations between them (β = 0.326, p = 0.013 for BDCAF; β = 0.366, p = 0.006 for TLR2) and BDQoL value. Higher TLR2 expression as a key protein in recognizing pathogens by innate immunity and BDCAF value as a comprehensive BD assessing scale contribute to poor quality of life among BD patients. Emphasizing therapeutically, approaches associated with lower TLR2 expression and BDCAF value can be considered in future studies.

Digital Trans-Pacific Silk Road and Phases of China-Latin American Connectivity: From Silver to AI

In this paper, we aim to document and analyze the long arc of connectivity between China and Latin America. First, using analytical international trade and economic tools, we provide a new economic perspective of the First Globalization–-the Ming and early Qing China’s economic and business links with Latin America and Europe. Second, due to U.S. government trade policies toward China in the 1990s, the Second China’s Globalization was ushered in with its entry to the World Trade Organization (WTO). During this second phase, China exchanged manufactured goods with minerals and resources from Latin America. Finally, the tough technology and trade stance by the Trump and Biden Administrations prompted China to intensify the third phase of China interaction with Latin America. For the 2020s and beyond, one important pillar of the Third China-Latin America-Europe Globalization is heightened efforts for China to increase its digital-AI, telecommunication and platform business presence and access into the Latin American markets. To enrich our analysis, we will provide Chinese-style digital-AI business and economic models to help illustrate our discussions. Throughout our paper, we want to point out that government policies were instrumental in bringing forth these Three Globalizations that involve China-Latin America-Europe.

Picking pearls from the Silk Road: Insights into the spider (Arachnida, Araneae) diversity in Georgia from the Caucasus Barcode of Life (CaBOL) project. Part III

The present study contains information about a small number of spiders collected between 2018 and 2023. The spiders were determined to species level and partially assisted by genetic barcoding of the COI gene. Among the resulting 33 species, 23 species and three genera, are recorded from Georgia for the first time, of which 11 are new records for the entire Caucasus. Of the 26 barcoded specimens representing 18 species, six species (Agroeca maculata L. Koch, 1879; Aituaria eriashvilii (Marusik, 1987); Evippa sjostedti Schenkel, 1936; Lathys cf. lehtineni Kovblyuk, Kastrygina & Omelko, 2014; Zelotes segrex (Simon, 1878); Lathys lehtineni Kovblyuk, Kastrygina & Omelko, 2014; Maculoncus obscurus Tanasevitch, Ponomarev & Chumachenko, 2016) are barcoded for the first time. In addition, 12 new regional records for 10 species are provided. The collecting information for each record is provided in detail, together with a discussion of the barcoding results and remarks, supported by 48 diagnostic drawings of 22 first-recorded species. A potential synonymy of Pelecopsis odontophora (Kulczyński, 1895) with P. parallela (Wider, 1834) and Bassaniodes loeffleri (Roewer, 1955) with B. pseudorectilineus (Wunderlich, 1995) is discussed.

Research on the Historical Experience of the Northwest Ancient Silk Road under the Background of "The Belt and Road" Construction

"Belt and Road" represents a corridor of collaboration and mutual gain, aimed at facilitating balanced growth and widespread prosperity. It is a peaceful road to enhance understanding and trust and strengthen all-round exchanges. After Zhang Qian's departure, the ancient Silk Road in the Northwest after the Western Regions was unblocked, political and economic ties between China and foreign countries under normal conditions were established, and the Silk Road trade was further developed. Today, the "Belt and Road" is not a replica of the "Silk Road" but a continuation of the "Silk Road", The "Belt and Road" initiative not only brings huge economic extension to China's economic construction, but also promotes the economic prosperity of countries in the world, strengthens political exchanges among countries in the world, and makes great contributions to the construction of world civilization. In this context, we need to deepen our understanding and understanding of the ancient Silk Road from history, and study the historical value brought by this ancient important channel from more angles. The important role is to learn from historical experience so that it can be used forever.

Overlapping Cosmologies in Asia: Transcultural and Interdisciplinary Approaches: 4 (Crossroads – History of Interactions across the Silk Routes), edited by Bill M. Mak and Eric Huntington

Overlapping Cosmologies in Asia: Transcultural and Interdisciplinary Approaches: 4 (Crossroads – History of Interactions across the Silk Routes), edited by Bill M. Mak and Eric Huntington

The Significance of Chinese Cultural Dissemination from The Perspective of the "Silk Road".

With the gradual advancement of the Silk Road Economic Belt, the cultural dissemination of the Silk Road has also become very important, and it is necessary to rely on the function of the Silk Road to spread China's excellent traditional culture and promote the development between China and the countries along the Silk Road. How to make good use of the intermediary nature of the Silk Road to spread China's culture, this paper will explain the significance of Chinese cultural communication from the cultural communication channels of the ancient Silk Road, and put forward suggestions on how to better promote the communication of Chinese culture in combination with the current era.

The Silk Road: A Modern Analogy of Globalization and Cultural Exchange

The Silk Road: A Modern Analogy of Globalization and Cultural Exchange

The Current Situation and Prospect of the Research on the Silk Road and Chinese Islamic Architecture

The Current Situation and Prospect of the Research on the Silk Road and Chinese Islamic Architecture

Medical Syncretism in the Formation of Tibetan Medicine Through Perspectives of The Silk Road

Medical Syncretism in the Formation of Tibetan Medicine Through Perspectives of The Silk Road

“Telling China's Story Well” Through Higher Education Along the New Silk Road

“Telling China's Story Well” Through Higher Education Along the New Silk Road

The US-China Rivalry in the Middle East: Confrontation or Competitive Coexistence

A new era of great power rivalry has returned to the center of the global stage. The Middle East has emerged as one of the key arenas where this rivalry is being played out, and analyzing it through the lens of power transition theory provides valuable insights into the dynamics at play. This study focuses on the great power rivalry between the United States and China in the Middle East through the lens of power transition theory. It examines whether this great power rivalry in the region will allow them to pursue competitive coexistence or if they can expect increasing levels of confrontation and mutual deterrence. The study maintains that the US-China rivalry in the Middle East is multidimensional and spans primarily three dimensions: geo-economic (the Belt and Road Initiative framework), geopolitical (partnership diplomacy), and the race for technological supremacy (the Digital Silk Road). While conflict is not inevitable, it is essential to recognize the potential for confrontation and build a coordinated mechanism to manage and mitigate these tensions.

Khosrow I’s Foreign Policy and 6th century Yemen

In examining Khosrow I's expedition to Yemen, this paper looks at one of the pivotal fronts in the Great Game of Late Antiquity, the "cold war" between the Byzantine and Sassanian empires, the two superpowers of their age. It analyzes the King of King's decision to launch the mission from a mainly economic angle. It looks at southern Arabia's own intrinsic value, the geopolitical significance of Yemen in relation to the maratime Silk Road, and the rise of Mecca, a new commercial hub in neighbouring Hejaz. By doing this, the author hopes to exhibit the central importance which southern Arabia played in the geopolitics and commerce of Late Antiquity.

Radiocarbon-Refined Archaeological Chronology and the History of Human Activity in the Southern Tarim Basin

Famous for Taklimakan, the world’s second largest sandy desert, the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang has long attracted researchers from various fields to investigate its paleoenvironment and antiquity. The southern part of this basin is an ideal region in which to investigate the interactions between humans and the environment due to its fragile habitat and prosperous ancient civilizations. However, the lack of direct radiocarbon dating data has caused the chronologies of some of the archaeological sites to be debatable, which hinders our ability to reconstruct historical patterns of human activity and further understand, in a coherent manner, their interaction with the environment. This study reports 25 new radiocarbon dates acquired from ten undated archaeological sites in the southern Taklimakan Desert in order to refine their chronologies. Based on this, a radiocarbon dataset was established to reveal the trajectory of human activity with the support of Bayesian chronological modeling. The results indicate a two-millennium continuous flourishing of the local society since the beginning of the first millennium BCE, as well as a peak of human activity during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE). The distinct trajectory of human activity in the southern Tarim Basin revealed by this study provides a solid foundation for further assessments of human–environment interaction in the Tarim Basin and along the Silk Road.

From Silk Road to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC): A Comprehensive Analysis of Economic, Geopolitical, Socio-cultural and Environmental Landscapes of Pakistan

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a transformative infrastructure and economic development project that has garnered global attention. This research paper delves into the historical context of the Silk Road and its resurgence through the CPEC, examining the geopolitical, economic, and socio-cultural implications. CPEC's potential is undeniable, offering economic growth, job creation, and regional connectivity. However, it is not without its complexities, including security issues, political opposition, and environmental impact. The paper concludes by emphasizing that addressing these challenges, promoting transparency, and adhering to sustainable practices are essential to unlock CPEC's full potential and contribute to economic prosperity and regional stability. CPEC's journey from the past to the future symbolizes the enduring power of collaboration, offering valuable lessons for international development and connectivity initiatives. Through a multidisciplinary approach, this paper explores the origins, motivations, challenges, and opportunities associated with the CPEC, shedding light on its potential to reshape regional dynamics and global trade.

Introduction: Our Silk Road Journeys with Aurel Stein

Introduction: Our Silk Road Journeys with Aurel Stein

Research On the Path of High Quality Development Enabled by Big Data Technology in the Curved Area of The Yellow River

Big data is a key factor of production to promote the current social development, and the good use of big data technology is a must to achieve high-quality development. Jiziwan of the Yellow River is a strategic overlapping area of the western development and the overland Silk Road, which has very important strategic value both in terms of geographical space and historical development. Therefore, it is particularly important to enable the high-quality development of the Yellow River Jiziwan region with big data technology. By analyzing the relevant data of the high-quality development of the main provinces of the Yellow River Bend in recent years, this paper makes a comparison of the gross product of the region in recent years, the added value of the three major industries, and the R&D investment of the industrial enterprises, so as to get the results of the high-quality development of the Yellow River Bend area and the existing problems. Through these analysis results, this paper puts forward some solutions: using big data technology to optimize regional industrial structure, promote high-quality ecological development and promote innovative development. These optimization paths help promote the importance of the digital economy and promote high-quality, sustainable and coordinated development in the region.

Chinese Geoeconomics and Geostrategic Motives in a Changing International Order

This study examines the geoeconomic and geostrategic motives behind China's military base establishment in Djibouti. It examines the motives from a geo-economic perspective, considering the economic interests and opportunities afforded by a military presence in the Horn of Africa. It then discusses the geostrategic motives, looking at the implications for global power dynamics, the militarization of China-Africa development partnerships, the securing of China's oil resources, the facilitation of Chinese peacekeeping forces, the confrontation of terrorist groups, the combating of piracy, and the inauguration of a Maritime Silk Road. Finally, it looks at the implications of China's Maritime Security Strategy as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. This includes the protection of the marine environment, cooperative development goals, maritime security alliances, promotion of knowledge and innovation in the fields of marine science research, and maritime governance.
 The methodology adopted for this paper is qualitative. This involves the analysis of primary and secondary sources to understand the motives behind China's move to establish a military base in Djibouti. Primary sources include official Chinese documents and statements from Chinese officials. Secondary sources include news reports, scholarly articles, and think tank reports. This analysis was conducted through a literature review of these sources. The literature was then analyzed to conclude China's motives for establishing a military base in Djibouti.

Archaeological and molecular evidence for ancient chickens in Central Asia

The origins and dispersal of the chicken across the ancient world remains one of the most enigmatic questions regarding Eurasian domesticated animals. The lack of agreement concerning timing and centers of origin is due to issues with morphological identifications, a lack of direct dating, and poor preservation of thin, brittle bird bones. Here we show that chickens were widely raised across southern Central Asia from the fourth century BC through medieval periods, likely dispersing along the ancient Silk Road. We present archaeological and molecular evidence for the raising of chickens for egg production, based on material from 12 different archaeological sites spanning a millennium and a half. These eggshells were recovered in high abundance at all of these sites, suggesting that chickens may have been an important part of the overall diet and that chickens may have lost seasonal egg-laying