Driven by the monsoons: the impact of ocean trading routes through history - Barry Cunliffe

In this talk Emeritus Professor Barry Cunliffe will shine a light on the ocean equivalent of the Silk Road to examine the origins of maritime trade routes through the Indian Ocean. Using evidence from archaeology and tales of great travellers such as Marco Polo he will explore the seafaring connections across the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea and China Sea.

While conditions at sea and the abilities of the maritime communities provided a degree of stability, the direction and intensity of trade and the types of commodities on the move was determined by the fortunes and aspirations of distant empires, those of China in the east and South-West Asia, and the Mediterranean in the West.

This ever-changing pressure provided the dynamic in which society and economies in East Africa, India and South-East Asia flourished. It truly was central to the birth of the modern connected world.

About the speaker

Emeritus Professor Barry Cunliffe was Professor of European Archaeology at Oxford University until 2008. He has excavated widely across the UK, France and Spain. In past roles he has been President of the Council for British Archaeology, Trustee of the British Museum and a Commissioner of English Heritage.

Booking information

• Advance booking for this event is not required.
• Tickets can be purchased on the door (cash only). Tickets are £2, and free for Society members.

If you have any questions please email events@rgs.org

This event has been organised by the South East regional committee.

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