Ancient trade routes saw peoples from around the world share goods and ideas much as they do now. Cyprus and China both had significant roles

By Karen Taylor

In a world dominated by globalization it is hard to imagine that something is unavailable for purchase. This ubiquitous spread of goods was set in motion more than 1,000 years ago as our ancestors braved the waves to open a Silk Road linking the East and the West, beginning a new phase of closer communication among peoples as trades developed between nations.

The Silk Roads saw goods, initially silk, move from East to West and back again. But they also saw the widespread transmission of knowledge, ideas, cultures and beliefs, which had a profound impact on the history and civilizations of the Eurasian peoples and the world we live in today.

The textile that gave these routes their name – silk – was first woven in China around 2,700 BCE, when it was used within the confines of the Chinese imperial court, its production technique was a fiercely guarded secret for some 3,000 years.

But via the Silk Roads it was introduced to the Roman Empire, where it became an important source of revenue, to a certain extent because of the substantial needs of the Byzantine Church for silk garments and hangings.

The Silk Roads were dynamic and porous; goods were traded with local populations throughout, and local products were added to merchants’ cargos. This process enriched not only the merchants’ material wealth and the variety of their cargos, but also allowed for exchanges of culture, language and ideas.

An ancient mirror recovered from the wreck of the Black Rock, a ship that sank during the Tang Dynasty (618-907)

The importance of the trading routes was highlighted by China’s President Xi in his opening remarks at the first Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in May 2017. “2,000 years ago, our ancestors, trekking across the vast steppes and deserts, opened the transcontinental passage connecting Asia, Europe and Africa, known today as the Silk Road. These ancient silk routes opened windows of friendly engagement among nations, adding a splendid chapter to the history of human progress,” he said.

More recently, in 2013, the China-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) looked to revitalise ancient trade routes, and has since evolved into a massive framework for international cooperation, bolstering local economies, improving people’s livelihoods and forging deeper cultural and diplomatic bonds.

The World Bank estimates it has led to a 4.1 per cent increase in trade among participating countries, a five per cent increase in foreign investment and a 3.4 per cent rise in GDP for low-income countries.

On the other side of the world, Cyprus too was an international trade hub for the ancient world. Excavations on the island have revealed goods from the late bronze age (1550-1200 BCE) that indicate trade connections with Egypt, Greece, Mesopotamia, India and even the Baltic Sea; due to its geographical location, an extensive network passed through the island.

Items recorded include pottery from Greece and Crete, carnelian gemstones from India, lapis lazuli from Afghanistan, and amber from the Baltic Sea. Some of them would have travelled over 3,000km to reach the island.

Cyprus’ location, where Europe, Asia and Africa meet, helped shape a history that brought civilizations together. The development of a copper industry between 3900 BCE and 2500 BCE, brought wealth to the island and saw it cement its role as a commercial centre linking the Near East and the West.

It was “used from the late Bronze Age through to the Roman period,” says University of Toronto archaeologist Carrie Fulton, who has carried out more than one dig on the island.

The Jade Gate Pass located on the ancient Silk Road

In the summer of 2024, an excavation led by New York University near Ayios Georgios in Peyia uncovered significant evidence of maritime trade connections between Cyprus and Palestine in the 6th century AD, supporting the idea of active trade in the region during this period.

An exhibition at the university of Sydney meanwhile also supported Cyprus’ international role, outlining how its ancient harbours served as emporia for international maritime trade routes for millennia exploiting copper, timber, wheat, olives and wine. During the Medieval period (AD 1191–1489), especially during the Crusades, Cyprus was once again a significant conduit between West and East.

On both sides of the world, science, arts and literature, as well as crafts and technologies were thus shared and disseminated into societies along the lengths of these routes, and in this way, languages, religions and cultures developed and influenced one another.

About Mirror of Culture
Mirror of Culture is a joint initiative of the Cyprus Mail and the Embassy of China in Cyprus. It highlights the parallels between Cypriot and Chinese culture to set an example of acceptance, respect and understanding among the various cultural communities in Cyprus, at the same time recognising the fundamental importance of culture.
Culture is the universal language of mankind that transcends many barriers, including language and geography. Our aim is to work with diverse cultural communities in Cyprus to share and promote our vibrant cultures to further bolster the bonds among all the people of Cyprus and celebrate the diversity of cultures in the world.
Furthermore, the initiative understands the importance of cultural preservation, which is an important way for us to transmit traditions and practices of the past to future generations.