Introduction

Background

Topics

Archaeology & the Discovery of the Dunhuang Caves

Explorers

Artefacts as Evidence

Understanding Manuscripts

Links

Topics

In the same way that merchants on the Silk Road traded goods, we can trade knowledge to help us learn. The IDP website enables scholars all around the world to swap ideas or 'trade' their research and thereby expand their understanding.

With a focus on the discovery and type of material held at the Library we will look at objects to see what they can tell us about practices and customs of the Silk Road. Read on and explore the topics below. Use the web links, images and printed material provided to do some research of your own. You can then 'trade' what you have found through discussion or by posting your findings on a website of your own.

Archaeology & the Discovery of the Dunhuang Caves
In this section you will learn about the amazing discovery of the Dunhuang caves and the treasures that were found there. Follow links to explore some of these items from collections at the British Library and British Museum and then think about the questions raised.

Explorers
Who were the men who discovered the Silk Road treasures we can now see in institutions all over the world? In this section you will research explorers from your own country as well as many others whose adventures helped us to understand life on the Silk Road.

Artefacts as Evidence
What can we learn from looking at manuscripts? Follow links to explore the Diamond Sutra on the British Library website and learn what this fascinating document can tell us about how manuscripts such as this were made and for what purpose.

Understanding Manuscripts
The Library holds many different types of written material. What are they all and how did they develop? In this section you will learn about the different ways in which people on the Silk Road recorded information and follow links to see examples from the Library's collection.