Teaching on the Silk Roads
Viewing world history from the vantage point of the Silk Roads can challenge the Eurocentrism of mainstream history and introduce a more balanced view of the past. In this online workshop we will explore the global significance of this trade network that connected India, Central and East Asia, and Europe for over a thousand years. We will especially focus on the development and spread of Buddhism and also discuss the momentous discovery of the largest cache of historic documents and artifacts found in the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang that bear witness to the cultural, religious, social and commercial activity that took place along the Silk Roads. Part of our exploration of the Silk Roads will involve interactive mapping (using ArcGIS Online) which teachers and students can use throughout the school year to:
1) Complete a distance analysis of the locations along the Silk Roads
2) Examine the landscapes of the Silk Roads
3) Evaluate “the reach” of the Silk Roads in terms of goods, cultures and diseases