One of the world’s great trade routes was from China to Constantinople (Istanbul) – the myth is great goods moved on caravans around the great mountains (Himalaya Mountains) and Deserts (Taklamakan) across the Steppes (Plains) eventually the goods made it to Europe. The term silk was used because coinage was heavy (there were very few banks and lines of credit) but silk bolts came in a standard package and was lighter than coinage, so silk bolts was used as money or the ability to exchange for goods and services. In the book, Silk Road by Valerie Hansen published by Oxford University Press, New York, 2012, the author examines the archaeology evidence of how average people living in the towns along the road lived their lives to determine the effect of the road.

The author points out there was trade along the Silk Road but most of it was local. Those who farmed continued to farm, similar to most small scale farmers, they can make a living but not necessarily need luxury items. The most important and the most influential people moving along the Silk Road were refugees. Waves of immigration brought people fleeing from war or political conflicts in their homelands. When people move their knowledge and skills move with them and technologies for manufacturing paper and weaving silk were transported out of China at the same time the techniques or making glass entered China.

The first migrants came from what is now called Afghanistan and Pakistan. They brought with them their skills and beliefs and some were Buddhists. The most prominent migrant community in Western China was the Sogdian from what is now called Uzbekistan.

Each community in the Western Regions hosted multiple migrant communities many whom continued the religious practices of their homeland. Sometimes they left because they felt they had no choice, sometimes people left to study, and sometimes  teachers left to find students and teach. In a cave near Dunhuang – the Buddhist librarian-monks saved texts collected in their religion as well as other religions – Manichaeism, Zoroastrianism. Chistianity, Judaism, and Buddhism. The Diamond Sutra is one of the world’s earliest dated printed book. Historians are fortunate that the weather in the cave was dry and for many years the cave was sealed until 1895 when it was discovered and books were sent to museums in Paris and London.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, we all benefit from a knowledge base of refugees even though in most countries around the world, there is a desire to restrict immigrants. For generations when people are threatened by war and political infighting they tend to move to a friendlier location. That has not changed nor will likely change in the future, it is always possible to embrace the immigrants. Some will contribute to new technologies to make wealth for a company and as shareholders we tend to like that.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.