Archaeologica.org

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Pune ... 621231.cms

The evidence suggests that the Satavahanas, the earliest rulers of Maharashtra (230 Before Christ Era), who reigned from Junnar, were engaged in a flourishing import-export trade not just with the Romans but also with the Greeks and the Persians.

The port of Kalyan on the Konkan coast offered the link for the Romans touching the Indian shores at Bharuch, to reach Junnar via the western ghat pass of Naneghat.

Junnar, along with Paithan in Marathwada region, and Amaravati in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, was an important seat of power for the Satavahanas, whose reign of over four centuries covered parts of western, southern and central India.

"The early rulers of the state had developed a fondness for wine brought into India by traders from these foreign countries," said Vasant Shinde, professor of archaeology, who is heading the research initiative at Junnar, while speaking to TOI on Thursday. "Similarly, luxury goods and glassware were being imported," he added. Junnar was also a vital place for large-scale exports of spices, ivory and silk, he said.

The Silk Road terminated in the Roman Province of Syria. I don't think this is rocket science.

Sorry.

For what?

for not coming up with any rocket science!

I think the guy who wrote the article should have known about ancient trade routes before he writes an article about ancient trade routes.

Well, I expect the Times of India journalists are under the same constraints as I was when I was on the Sunday Express.

You have to become an instant expert overnight on all manner of different subjects and within three days, have decided on the angle and have all the interviews done and subjects lined up for pictures.

On the fourth day, you have to write the bloody thing and make sure that the Picture Desk has got the pictures in, as they often screw it up.

On the fifth day, you have to stand by while the subs edit your story and put a headline on it, otherwise they are likely to cut the wrong thing and make a complete pigs ear of it.

On the sixth day, right at the last minute before the paper goes to press, Janet Jackson has a wardrobe malfunction and so your story gets cut.

On the seventh day, you get drunk.

Just like God, apparently!

Just like God, apparently!

Arch ain't gonna like that!

They have found a number of Roman ports on the east coast of Africa and up into the Red Sea with Indian and even Chineese trade goods.
But I see no need for them to do the around Africa route.
I have no doubt of around Africa trade. That is one reason Israel has always had a Red Sea port.
But due to winds and currents, it was 3 year, clockwise route.
As the Portuguese found out, going counter clockwise is a real pain.
But the Romans could portage over to the Nile and thus to the Mediterranean.
The Romans had the advantage of control of a pretty wide land area. It is the reason for finding those “outposts” scattered all over the place. They were protecting the traders from raids and checking for taxes paid.

Speaking of the Silk Road, there was trade contact between Rome and China. In addition, genetic testing will be done soon on the Caucasian-like villagers of Lanzhou, China where a Roman garrision may have wound up during the 1st Century AD. They did get around.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005- ... 396301.htm

Map:
http://encarta.msn.com/map_701510678/Gansu.html

It has often been said Cog that religion is the major cause of conflict amongst us, but trade has been a source of conflict from probably before the major religions got at each others throats.
The Victorians were of the opinion that international trade was the route to peace, and they fought wars to make it happen!

Digit wrote: The Victorians were of the opinion that international trade was the route to peace, and they fought wars to make it happen!

Speaking of which, I think it has been a source of fascination to many how the 19th century English tea traders took over India without, virtually, a shot being fired - until the Mutiny that is.

The policy of divide and conquer was perfected by succesive British governments Ish. That's how they conquered Wales.
If the natives had sunk their differences and shown a united front the red blotches on the world maps would have been somewhat smaller I think.

All -

A little bit more complicated than that............

Simplistic version;

China demanded payment for tea in silver bullion.

Which lead to a huge drain on the British treasury.

India had opium.

And appropriate growing conditions for tea.

So, the Brit traders 1.) Smuggled tea seeds to India, and 2.) Began importing opium to China.

China developed a massive opium habit, India grew tea, and the trade imbalance was "resolved".


john