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Camel Caravan Trade

Type Object Region West Asia Time c. -1000

A long-distance overland trade system using domesticated camels (especially Bactrian camels) in caravans crossing deserts and steppes;…

Timeline

  1. c. -1000–-800Iranian Plateau–Central Asian steppe frontier · Iranian PlateauBactrian camels bore loads and carried water across arid zones; caravans traveled in groups along oases and wells, exchanging metals, textiles, spices, and livestock, establishing a regular trade rhythm across the deserts.
  2. c. -600–-500Persian Empire transport trunk routes · MesopotamiaAchaemenid Persia integrated West Asian transport; postal relay and tariff systems made camel caravan trade more institutionalized, connecting the eastern Mediterranean coast, Mesopotamia, and Central Asia, with notable increases in goods and relay cities.

Sources