Climate-driven desertification and its implications for the ancient Silk Road trade
<p>The ancient Silk Road played a crucial role in cultural exchange and commercial trade between western and eastern Eurasia during the historical period. However, the exchanges were interrupted in the early 16th century CE, during the Ming dynasty. Various causes for the decline of the ancien...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2021-06-01
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| Series: | Climate of the Past |
| Online Access: | https://cp.copernicus.org/articles/17/1395/2021/cp-17-1395-2021.pdf |
| Summary: | <p>The ancient Silk Road played a crucial role in cultural exchange and commercial trade between western and eastern Eurasia during the historical period. However, the exchanges were interrupted in the early 16th century CE, during the Ming dynasty. Various causes for the decline of the ancient Silk Road have been suggested. Unlike social factors, natural factors have not been adequately addressed. In this study, we use evidence from a sedimentary site (Xishawo, XSW) in Dunhuang oasis, together with analysis of
historical archives, to demonstrate the occurrence of extreme droughts and
desertification events in the Dunhuang area post <span class="inline-formula">∼</span> 1450 CE,
which persisted at least for decades. The desertification may be closely
associated with the accessibility of the ancient Silk Road in the area,
which was responsible for a steep fall in the volume of trade, as well as
political chaos and mass migrations. Therefore, besides socio-economic
factors, climate change may have played an important role in trade exchange
between the Ming government and the West and may have even influenced the
rise and decline of the ancient Silk Road.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 1814-9324 1814-9332 |