Along this legendary route silks were sent from China to ancient Rome; princesses were dispatched in marriage alliances; bandits and thieves launched attacks. Covering more than 5,000 years and lavishly illustrated with photographs, manuscripts, and paintings from the collections of the British Library and other museums worldwide, this book presents an overall picture of the history and cultures of the Silk Road. It also contains many previously unpublished photographs by the great explorers Stein, Hedin, and Mannerheim, and brings the Silk Road to life - from its beginnings to the present day, revealing a rich history still in the making.