Beginning in about 100 BC, a network of overland trade routes developed to carry goods between Asia and Europe.

The earliest, most direct, and most heavily used route came to be known as the Silk Road, for the precious Chinese cloth that was traded abundantly on it.

The routes waxed and waned over the centuries with changing political and environmental conditions.

After the discovery of a sea route from Europe to Asia in the late 15th century, the land routes were gradually abandoned in favor of ocean-borne trade.