Silk Road Talk

In the third episode, we talk about the Xiongnu, pastoral nomads inhabiting the great Eurasian Steppe. They were an important yet often neglected player in the history of the overland Silk Roads. Join us in exploring the history, lifestyle, and language of these fascinating people, who some consider to be proto-Mongols. More info: Article :  Xiongnu - Rise of Steppe Empires

In the second episode, we talk about the opening of the Maritime Silk Road in Hepu, an ancient trading port in Southern China. This port rose to importance during the Han dynasty. Join us in exploring the numerous tombs of this port and the fascinating assortment of overseas goods they contain. More info: Article :  Hepu and the Opening of the Han Dynasty's Maritime Silk Road Object :  Persian Ceramic Pot

 In this first episode of the Silk Road Talk podcast, we will talk about horses, and in particular ‘heavenly horses’ of the Han Dynasty. The demand for these horse kickstarted the trade over the northern routes of the overland Silk Road. What were heavenly horses? Where did they come from? and what were the reasons for their popularity? More info: Article: The heavenly horses of the Han Dynasy The Flying Horse of Gansu Source:  Michael Gunther , Gansu provincial museum Galloping Horses discovered in Eastern Han Tombs Source:  He Zhiguo. 2008. Study and Comparison of the Chronology of the Bronze Galloping Horse excavated at Leitai, Wuwei City, Gansu Province (甘肃武威市雷台出土铜奔马年代考辩). Kaogu 4: 86 Eastern Han Ceramic Prancing Horse Source: Flickr ( ellenm1 ) Han Bronze Horse with Lead Saddle Source:  Wikimedia ( PericlesofAthens ) Tang Dynasty Ceramic Horse Source: Flickr ( Forever Wiser )