Arts & Culture
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Sharing treasures from the Silk Road
By Carol StarcevicPublished: March 01, 2010
Mysterious and historic artifacts from ancient China come to the Bowers Museum this month, with more than 150 priceless antiquities – including three mummies – that comprise the “Secrets of the Silk Road.” It’s a groundbreaking exhibit that looks at the fabled Asian route that started in China and stretched 4,600 treacherous miles to the Mediterranean.
From the sixth through the 14th century, diverse bands of traders, missionaries, refugees and rogues criss-crossed the Asian continent bartering their wares. In their wake, they created towns and schools, transplanted new cultures and religions, and introduced new products and dry goods.
Heading east were paper, textiles, perfume, carpets and gold. Going west: gunpowder, porcelain, furs and spices.
Particularly fascinating: the mummies, making their first-ever showing outside of Asia. Their extraordinary state of preservation makes them among the most important and controversial human remains ever found. They are not, for the most part, Asian-looking, but rather light skinned and round-eyed, with long noses and red or blond hair.
The Silk Road gradually dissipated in the 15th century, as newly discovered and more efficient seaports opened up to Asia. Its legacy marks the dawn of human commercial activity.
‘Secrets of the Silk Road’
March 27 through July 25
Bowers Museum
2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana
714.567.3600; bowers.org
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From the sixth through the 14th century, diverse bands of traders, missionaries, refugees and rogues criss-crossed the Asian continent bartering their wares. In their wake, they created towns and schools, transplanted new cultures and religions, and introduced new products and dry goods. Heading east were paper, textiles, perfume, carpets and gold. Going west: gunpowder, porcelain, furs and spices.Particularly fascinating: the mummies, making their first-ever showing outside of Asia. Their extraordinary state of preservation makes them among the most important and controversial human remains ever found. They are not, for the most part, Asian-looking, but rather light skinned and round-eyed, with long noses and red or blond hair. The Silk Road gradually dissipated in the 15th century, as newly discovered and more efficient seaports opened up to Asia. Its legacy marks the dawn of human commercial activity. ‘Secrets of the Silk Road’ March 27 through July 25 Bowers Museum 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana 714.567.3600; bowers.org NEXT PAGE >>> |
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