The Silk Road also transported the secret of paper from China to Europe
While famous for spices and textiles, the Silk Road served as a vital conduit for the revolutionary technology of papermaking to travel from ancient China to the Western world.
For centuries, China guarded the secret of paper, a lightweight alternative to cumbersome bamboo or expensive silk. This transformative technology began its westward journey following the Battle of Talas in 751 CE, when Arab forces reportedly captured Chinese papermakers.
There's more to this story — open the app to keep reading.
Continue Reading in App
1 more paragraphs · plus a 4-question quiz