The British Museum’s “Silk Roads” exhibition explores the extensive trade routes from AD 500 to 1,000, featuring artefacts like Chinese ceramics and chess pieces. It emphasises the interconnectedness of cultures across Asia, Africa, and Europe, rather than a single route. The exhibition runs until February.
The British Museum in London has launched an exhibition titled “Silk Roads,” highlighting the intricate network of trade routes that flourished from AD 500 to 1,000. This exhibition features a variety of artefacts, including Chinese ceramics, Byzantine jewellery, and historic chess pieces. Exhibition co-curator Sue Brunning emphasised that the display aims to depict the Silk Roads as multiple overlapping networks connecting communities across Asia, Africa, and Europe, instead of merely a singular trade route. The exhibition includes significant items such as a large mural from Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and a gilded silver cup from the Galloway Hoard, all demonstrating the diverse exchanges of goods, people, and ideas occurring through various means, including land, sea, and rivers. The exhibition is open from Thursday until February.
The Silk Road was an extensive network of trade routes that linked various cultures across continents, facilitating not only the exchange of silk and spices but also ideas and technologies. This historical context underpins the British Museum’s exhibition, which seeks to broaden the understanding of the Silk Roads’ role in connecting diverse civilisations and highlights a period marked by significant cultural and political developments.
The “Silk Roads” exhibition at the British Museum provides a comprehensive look at the multifaceted trade routes existing between AD 500 and 1,000, showcasing how they facilitated an exchange of not just goods, but also cultural ideas across continents. By presenting artefacts from different regions, the exhibition redefines the Silk Roads as intricate networks that fostered connectivity among diverse communities.
Original Source: www.usnews.com