Imperial Horizons of the Silk Roads: Archaeological Case Studies

The Silk Roads facilitated trade, communication, and the development of cultures, but their legacy is obscured by lack of research. This volume explores how the exchange routes transformed the frontier regions, incorporating physical records to provide a more reliable understanding of the past. Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to reach the full research potential of the Silk Roads, particularly given the scope of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 20 July 2023
Publisher: Archaeopress

The enduring legacy of the Silk Roads extends far beyond the tangible goods and ideas they facilitated and the technological advancements they disseminated. These trade routes also formed a complex web of communication, which played a crucial role in understanding the development of cultures, yet remains largely obscured due to limited research. This volume focuses on exploring how the Silk Road exchange routes transformed the frontier regions they traversed. By employing a diverse range of methods, the book aims to provide an archaeological interpretation of the factors that interconnected people with their environment, including movements, settlements, and beliefs.

In contrast to historical perspectives that have dominated the field thus far, this volume incorporates physical records that offer a more reliable and objective understanding of the past. The case studies presented within the volume provide a comprehensive overview of current developments where multiple lines of evidence are integrated and reconciled to achieve a holistic understanding of the Silk Roads. Given the vast scope of the Belt and Road Initiative, which poses significant threats to numerous archaeological sites along the Silk Roads, the book is particularly timely.

The papers in this book span across Europe, Asia, and Africa, from the 4th millennium BC to the 10th century AD, demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of research required to fully unravel the mysteries of the Silk Roads. Through their exploration, the authors highlight the significance of collaboration across disciplines, as it is essential to unlock the full research potential of this captivating historical era.

Weight: 622g
Dimension: 173 x 245 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803274041