Welcome to our new theme for the following weeks – history of travel. To be honest, the blog entry about the grand tours was the spark that brought the idea. And because I am so interested in history it is funny, I didn’t make that connection earlier.
Humans are travelling since the beginning and we have various proof. Let alone the fact that the human species inhabited most of the continents is proof for the never-ending urge to go far away and leave the known behind and look for the unknown. (Suddenly the song “Into the unknown” is stuck in my head.) The are eras who are named after travelling people – like the Migration period from 375 AD to 568 AD. Travelling has the potential of letting civilisations grow, but can also be the cause of the downfall of empires.
One civilisation that grew big because of trading was the one in the desert Taklamakan, western China. Today, little is known about those people. Archaeology can hardly be done, because it is far away from modern settlements and the people of the region are digging up the artefacts and selling them on the black market. Still, the ancient people of the Taklamakan are a great example how not only people travel, but ideas too. The weaving technique of their fabrics is very similar to the technique used in the Scottish Highland tartans, but was much earlier. How much earlier? Well, the people there had bowls of silver, produced in the style of ancient Greek pottery, around 800 BC. The mummies date from around 2100 BC to the first century BC. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarim_mummies)
How can travelling cause the downfall of an empire? The migration period troubled the Roman Empire and led to its division and in the end to its death. The migrating tribes fled their homelands because of climate change, which occurred somewhat naturally, and other people who claimed the lands. Additionally, the Roman empire was famous for its wealth and treasures, things that are of interest for everyone. Therefore, the empire was troubled with reoccurring invasions and the declining politics of their own kind. The division into eastern Rome, also called Byzantium, and western Rome was the attempt to preserve what was left of the Roman empire.
We just saw how travelling can be and is influenced by circumstances beyond every control. We have learned that the hard way for ourselves during this pandemic. People tend to think, that in the past travelling wasn’t as important as it is today, but that is not true. Just because archaeologists and historians for many centuries tended to focus on their subjects, not looking into clues over travels and connections between empires and locations we had a hard time realizing how connected the world was and always will be. It is just not in our character to leave our neighbour alone or not be curious about different places. I have met a chronically depressed person, which had a very pessimistic outlook on the world and still wanted to see French Polynesia.
For a long time, travelling as a form of leisure or trading was reserved for the wealthy, the risky and the brave – or the desperate. Back in the days, it was far more dangerous. One could end up as a slave if not careful or get lost in the woods or the deserts. Today, we may have remote places, but in most cases, we have our states behind us. Politicians and diplomats will intervene if someone of their home country is endangered. In the past, one was just lost, most of the times dead. Relatives would mourn, but would barely have the options to search for their father/son/uncle/husband. And yes, mostly it would be men.
Travelling is as old as the time. Even if we – as humans – find other words for travelling in different animal species, it still is travelling. And mostly it is for the same reasons – food, a safe place for the offspring, a better life or just a small trip to see what’s over there.
Is there something you would like to know about travelling in the past? Would you have wanted to be a part of such an ancient travel experience? Or do you prefer our modern times with security, vaccines and hospitals? Let me know in the comments below.
-Toni
TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF 