The 'Myth' of the Silk Road

[Alanus]

Thanks, Bryan

Your post is an incredibly convincing argument for the western half of a "Silk Road." And it seems, if I recall correctly, Seleucus founded the city of Antioch... which was a major contact point along the land route. I'm not sure how China would fit into this period, 3rd cent. BC, considering their connection to Bactria occurred later, I think around 120 BC or thereabouts. Still, as you pointed out, I'm incredibly leery of Ball's premise of a sea-route only.

I just don't know China's earliest link to India. I do know that even before the Bronze Age, northern China was receiving cowrie shells from southern India. Attempts to show a "cowrie connection" to the South China Sea and Nam have always fizzled-- no signs of shell-heaps or cowries in the archaeological strata. So, the logical assumption would indicate a land route.

Anyway, thanks.