Treasures Traded on the Silk Road
Many precious goods from different civilizations made their way along the Silk Road. Silk was China's most important export. The process for making silk was a well-kept secret for thousands of years.
Chinese merchants also traded their paper, furs, teas, and ceramics. Traders from the Middle East brought ivory, glass, spices, and exquisite metal vessels. A typical Silk Road market also sold gemstones, feathers, fabrics, and furs. Even fruits, vegetables, and medicines were brought from distant lands.
As goods moved along the Silk Road, so did the ways they were made and used. Over time, the skills for making silk, glass, paper, and metal crafts traveled between civilizations.