Other editions of book Exploration by Sea

The history of humankind, its cultures and civilizations, is inextricably linked with the development of trade. Cities grew up around the markets it took place in and empires were built on the wealth it created. Across Asia, the paths of the Silk and Spice Routes brought together the many different peoples of these empires and cites. When meeting to trade, they not only exchanged precious goods but also the ideas and beliefs that shaped each of their cultures--ideas expressed in their lifestyles, their arts and even in the goods they had to sell. By these means, cultures slowly changed, amalgated and developed. Splendidly illustrated with dozens of historic visuals, Cultures and Civilizations explores the interrelations of trade and cultures as they developed along the Silk and Spice Routes.

The Spice Routes stretched for over 15 000 kilometres around Asia. They led form China's seas, across the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, up to the Red Sea or the Perisan Gulf and overland to the Mediterranean. The ships and boats that sailed them faced violent storms, treacherous reefs and the possibility of pirate attack, not to mention long absences from home and family. But from before records began, people have been tempted to travel these routes--to look for trade or treasure or just to satisfy their curiosity. Splendidly illustrated with dozens of historical visuals, Exploration by Sea tells of the adventures these travellers had, the finds and the contacts they made exploring the Spice Route.

The history of humankind is built on a series of technological innovations and inventions-from the horsebit and the wheel to the microchip and the computer. Over the centuries, the exchange of these technologies has inspired new developments and improvements. It is through trade that much of this exchange has taken place. Across Asia, the paths of the Silk and Spice Routes brought together many different peoples to trade and so gather knowledge of each other's science and inventions. In this way, some of the most fundamental technologies, including writing, weaving and agriculture, have evolved and developed. Splendidly illustrated with dozens of historic visuals, Inventions and Trade explores the process of invention technological exchange, and the massive contribution made to it by the Silk and Spice Routes.