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A Guide to the Silk Road at the National Museum of Asian Art in in Washington, D.C
  • A Guide to the Silk Road at the National Museum of Asian Art in in Washington, D.C
  • A Guide to the Silk Road at the National Museum of Asian Art in in Washington, D.C
  • A Guide to the Silk Road at the National Museum of Asian Art in in Washington, D.C
  • A Guide to the Silk Road at the National Museum of Asian Art in in Washington, D.C
  • A Guide to the Silk Road at the National Museum of Asian Art in in Washington, D.C
  • A Guide to the Silk Road at the National Museum of Asian Art in in Washington, D.C
A Guide to the Silk Road at the National Museum of Asian Art in in Washington, D.C

A Guide to the Silk Road at the National Museum of Asian Art in in Washington, D.C

$8.00

Did you know that the 8th-century Tang dynasty emperor Xuanzong kept a stable of 'dancing horses'? These incredible steeds were trained to perform a choreographed dance every year specifically to celebrate the emperor’s birthday! 

You'll hear about that and more in this digital guide to the Silk Road at the National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.! This 15-page resource helps you connect the dots between seemingly disparate artifacts through the lens of history, geography, and art.

What’s Inside the Guide?

  • Insight into common misconceptions about the Silk Road, including the truth about its "ancient" name.

  • An exploration of the geography and origins of the Silk Road.

  • Information on the Sogdians, Central Asian merchants who established a vast network of trading colonies into China.

  • How "Hellenistic realism" influenced the first human depictions of the Buddha.

  • An exploration of ancient jade trade and the transition from heavy ritual bronzes to lightweight, "exotic" silver tableware. 

  • A look at the cosmopolitan capital of Chang'an.

  • Reflection questions designed to help you think critically about ancient globalization, immigration, and how we often alter the appearance of "foreign" gods to look more like ourselves.

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