The ancient trade route that connected the East and West is known as the Silk Road. Established during the Han Dynasty around the 2nd century BCE, the Silk Road facilitated not only the exchange of goods such as silk, spices, and precious metals but also cultural, religious, and technological exchanges between diverse civilizations across Asia, Europe, and even parts of Africa. This route included overland paths and maritime routes, significantly impacting the economies of the regions it traversed. The interactions fostered through the Silk Road contributed to the spread of ideas, art, and culture, shaping the development of societies along its path.