#silkroad

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welcome to the underground how was the fall

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Bukhara, Uzbekistan April 2024 Konica C35 EF + Kodak Portra 160

[whencyclopedia]

The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World

In "The Fabric of Civilization," Virginia Postrel explores how the history of textiles is akin to the story of civilization as we know it. As evidenced throughout her book, Postrel treats each chapter as a standalone story of its production and journey, all the while masterfully weaving it together to show the story of human ingenuity. While academic in nature due to its incredibly well-researched methodology, the general reader will enjoy the book's unique style and approach to world history.

In The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World, Virginia Postrel expertly demonstrates how the history of textiles is the story of human progress. Although textiles have shaped society in many ways, their central role in the development of technology and impact on socio-economics have been exceedingly overlooked. Attempting to remedy this issue, Postrel organizes her book into two distinct sections: one focusing on the different stages of textile production (fiber, thread, cloth, and dye) and the other on the consumers, traders, and future innovators of said textiles. To strengthen her argument, Postrel pulls from different primary sources across many regions and cultures, such as the works of people like entomologist Agostino Bassi and the accounts of disgruntled Assyrian merchants. However, Postrel goes beyond relying solely on books and peer-reviewed articles; she personally interviewed textile historians, scientists, businesspeople, and artisans who offered their own insight regarding the importance of textiles in the world. To help the reader envision the intricacies of textile manufacturing, the book is riddled with images that range from ancient spindle whorls and Andean textile patterns to nineteenth-century pamphlets raging over improved cotton seeds. It is quite a laborious task to explain the history of textiles, but Postrel’s way of organizing her chapters and style of writing does an excellent job of conveying her argument.

In Chapter One, Postrel illustrates the many uses of fibers and how their multipurpose functionality served its role in world economies. From the domestication of cotton in the Americas to sericulture in ancient China, such fibers left an indelible mark on trade and technology. Chapter Two looks at the use of thread's connection with social and gender roles as Postrel argues that dismissing fabric as feminine domesticity ignores its integral role in the social innovations that products like clothing and sails provided. Chapter Three connects mathematics with weaving through handwoven textiles by Andean artisans and in the notations written down in Marx Ziegler’s manual, The Weaver’s Art and Tie-Up Book (1677). Chapter Four explains how dyes not only contributed to the distinction between social classes, such as the use of Tyrian purple by Roman emperors but also the ingenuity of humans to ascribe meaning and beauty to a variety of colors. Furthermore, the increasing and competitive trading of dyes in the 16th and 17th centuries would eventually contribute to the discovery of synthetic dyes.

Textile traders and consumers also helped to foster cultural exchanges. Postrel then highlights how traders often also served as innovators. The implementation of the Fibonacci sequence in European trading not only helped traders with bookkeeping but also gave a new perspective to the practicality of learning math by helping traders understand profits and calculate prices. Readers explore in Chapter Six how the Mongol Empire expanded across many different lands for their desire for valuable woven textiles. Under the Pax Mongolica, the textile trade flourished as the Mongols protected the Silk Road, resulting in cross-cultural and technological exchange between Europe and Asia. Lastly, in Chapter Seven, Postrel introduces synthetic polymers like nylon and polyester, where the efforts made by scientists like Wallace Carothers, Rex Whinfield, and James Dickson have revolutionized the use of textiles. Companies like Under Armour use polyester to create water-repellent clothing. Despite synthetic polymers currently being used innovatively, many still seek to look into the future of textiles. As Postrel explains, imagine your pockets can charge your phone or your hat could give you directions. The future of textiles is incredibly exciting.

As an avid writer of socio-economics, Postrel expertly showcases her knowledge of the subject. Postrel’s previous books, such as The Future and its Enemies (1998) and The Power of Glamour: Longing and the Art of Visual Persuasion (2013), cover the interconnectedness between culture, technology, and the economy. Postrel has also worked as a columnist for several news sites, is the contributing editor for the magazine Works in Progress, and was a visiting fellow at the Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy at Chapman University. This book is a wonderful intellectual contribution that feels like a documentary series, perfectly threading the reader through cultures and regions like a needle through fabric.

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Shah-i-Zinda necropolis.

Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

© Roberto Conte (2017)

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[createimpact3p0]

A beautiful video about Ancient China, a civilization that shaped the world with its innovations, philosophies, and monumental achievements.

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🌏 Epic Eras: Empires, Builders, and the Silk Road 🏛️ History comes alive in this captivating video that explores the rise and fall of empires, the visionary leaders who built them, and the legendary Silk Road that connected civilizations.

✨ What You’ll Discover:

How powerful empires shaped the ancient world.

The legacy of empire builders like Alexander the Great and Ashoka.

The Silk Road’s role in fostering global trade, cultural exchange, and innovation.

🎥 Watch Now: [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YeFfZBR2eY ] Dive into the stories that continue to inspire us and reveal how humanity’s past shapes our future.

💬 Let’s discuss: Which empire, leader, or historical connection inspires you the most? Reblog and share your thoughts!

[nonesuchrecords]

The first single from Silkroad and Rhiannon Giddens's upcoming album, American Railroad, is her arrangement of the traditional songs "Swannanoa Tunnel / Steel-Driving Man," out now. The former is written by wrongfully imprisoned Black men and women, who unwillingly risked their lives building the Swannanoa Tunnel in Giddens's home state of North Carolina. The latter is about the folk hero John Henry, who beat the steam drill with his hammer, only to die of a burst heart.

[lutnistas]

Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi ( Turkestan / Kazakhstan )

[tabrisangel]

dost anyone fw romechu heavy by any chance

[whencyclopedia]

A map indicating the general route of Marco Polo's travels from Venice to China and back again between 1271 and 1295 CE.

[afghanlogisticstours]

The Silk Road Tours Experience: Afghanistan’s Role in World History

The Silk Road was a network of ancient trade routes stretching from Asia through the Middle East to Europe that played a transformative role in world history. This famous pathway had been used to exchange goods, ideas, religions, and cultures and formed the backbone of international trade for centuries. Situated at the heart of this energetic network was Afghanistan, a country rich in strategic location and cultural heritage. The cities of Balkh and Bamiyan formed critical nodes on the Silk Road that shaped economic, cultural, and spiritual transactions in this historical context.

This article discusses the Afghanistan of the Silk Road epoch with special emphasis on significant locations such as Balkh and Bamiyan through which history continues to influence contemporary society and, hence, the world.

Afghanistan: The Crossroads of Civilizations

Afghanistan was at the crossroads of Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia, making it a natural conduit for trade and cultural exchange. Traders from China, India, Persia, and the Mediterranean passed through its valleys and mountain passes, bringing with them silk, spices, ceramics, and precious stones. In return, they carried Afghan lapis lazuli, horses, and saffron to distant markets.

Beyond goods, the Silk Road was also a route for the exchange of knowledge, technology, and religion. Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, and later Islam flourished in Afghanistan, blending with local traditions and creating a rich tapestry of cultural diversity.

Key Historical Sites Along Afghanistan's Silk Road

1. Balkh: The Mother of Cities

Balkh is known as the "Mother of Cities." This city in northern Afghanistan was an important center of trade and a focal point of religion and culture. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

It was a very important city in the ancient Bactrian kingdom and later became an important center for spreading Zoroastrianism and Buddhism. It was also a crossroad for the caravans moving between Central Asia, Persia, and India.

•Cultural Legacy:

It was the habitat of the legendary poet Rumi and witnessed architectural wonders, like the Green Mosque and ancient stupas of Buddhism. Most of what is left of its historical architecture is in ruins, but its heritage as the cradle of civilization lives on.

2. Bamiyan: The Buddhist Heartland

Situated in central Afghanistan, Bamiyan was a vital stop on the Silk Road and an important center of Buddhist learning and art. It flourished as a crossroads between culture and the spirit due to its strategic location.

•The Buddhas of Bamiyan:

Bamiyan housed two giant Buddha statues carved into the cliffs during the 6th century. The tallest in the world, they represented the region's function in the spread of Buddhism in Asia. Although destroyed tragically in 2001, it remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a monument to the culture of the region.

• Band-e Amir National Park:

Near Bamiyan lies Band-e Amir, Afghanistan's first national park, featuring a series of stunning blue lakes surrounded by rugged cliffs. It was a natural wonder, attracting travelers and traders; it served as a serene respite on the Silk Road.

3. Herat: The City of Art and Knowledge

Herat is a city in western Afghanistan which was a key city on the Silk Road and flourished in the Timurid Empire as a center of art, architecture, and intellectual thought.

• Architectural Splendor:

Herat's Friday Mosque is one of the finest examples of Islamic art, decorated with beautiful blue tiles. The city's citadel, believed to have been founded by Alexander the Great, is a great testimony to its historical significance.

•Cultural Interaction:

Herat was a cultural melting pot where Persian, Indian, and Central Asian influences merged to create an artistic and intellectual heritage unique to this city.

4. Kandahar: A Gateway City

Kandahar, Afghanistan, was another key trading center along the Silk Road, which connected trade networks from India and the Arabian Peninsula to Central Asia.

•Historical Function:

It was an important passage for the transportation of goods and ideas where traders and travelers entered. This city is also significant because that is where modern Afghanistan was founded by Ahmad Shah Durrani in 1747.

5. The Hindu Kush Mountain Passes

The rugged Hindu Kush mountains presented both a challenge and an entrance for Silk Road travelers. Famous passes, like the Salang Pass and Khyber Pass, connected Afghanistan to the rest of the neighboring areas. It enabled the free flow of goods and people.

•Strategic Importance:

These mountain passes connected Silk Road cities and also served as very important military and trade routes for empires to dominate the area.

Afghanistan Contributions to Global Trade and Culture

Afghanistan's role in the Silk Road was more than just a transit country. It was an active participant in the international exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures:

1. Lapis Lazuli Trade:

Afghanistan Badakhshan mines provided lapis lazuli to ancient civilization such as Egypt and Mesopotamia, which used this stone for their jewelry and art.

2. Spread of Buddhism:

The development and diffusion of Buddhism in the heart of Central Asia and toward China were greatly facilitated through Afghanistan's monasteries and stupas. The art of these Afghan origins influenced the world way beyond Afghanistan's borders regarding the teachings of Buddhism.

3. Cultural Maturity:

The interaction of multifaceted cultures on Silk Road enriched Afghanistan's cultures to create a unique type of art, architecture, as well as their beliefs.

4. Carpet Weaving:

Afghan carpets, with their intricate designs and high craftsmanship, became a hot item in Silk Road markets and remain the hallmark of Afghan culture to this day.

The Legacy of the Silk Road in Modern Afghanistan

Although the ancient Silk Road no longer functions as it once did, its legacy continues to shape Afghanistan. Efforts to revive trade routes, such as China's Belt and Road Initiative, highlight the enduring importance of Afghanistan's location.

Tourism around Silk Road heritage sites also serves as an avenue to celebrate and preserve the rich history of Afghanistan. Challenges abound, but cultural tourism promotional initiatives aim to reconnect Afghanistan to the world.

Visiting the Silk Road Today

This experience of the Silk Road for the traveler in Afghanistan is incomparable. Walking in the footsteps of ancient traders and monks, one gets to understand how in this world, cultures converge, ideas flourish, and sites such as Balkh, Bamiyan, and Herat deepen that connection to history and enable them to witness the resilience and beauty of Afghanistan.

Such a journey would start with the safety and richness of being accompanied by a trusted Afghanistan tour operators like Afghan Logistics & Tours Pvt. Ltd. They have in-depth knowledge of Afghanistan's unique landscapes and cultural treasures that make the Silk Road come alive for modern explorers.

Afghanistan's role in the Silk Road is a testament to its historical significance as a bridge between civilizations. From the bustling bazaars of Balkh to the serene cliffs of Bamiyan, the country's landmarks tell a story of trade, culture, and spirituality that shaped the ancient world.

Today, visiting the Silk Road sites of Afghanistan means not only passing through history but also experiencing a land whose legacy endures in an enduring testament of East to West. Through Afghan Logistics & Tours Pvt. Ltd., travelers can safely experience the wonders of Afghanistan's Silk Road heritage and immerse themselves in timeless beauty.

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