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Posted at Dec 09/2007 05:27PM:
sebastian:

These three routes were revived following the Crusades and the "heightened trade that followed." In second half of 13th century, all three routes were functioning.

It is important because this meant that the Islamic world was a vital aspect of the world system, acting as a proxy between Europe and the Asia.

This meant that these separate world economies "coalesced into one... but became so inextricably linked" that they were in ruins by the 14th century.

Northern Route: Constantinople across Central Asia

Central Route: Connecting the Mediterranean with the Indian Ocean via Baghdad, Basra and the Persian Gulf

Southern Route: Linked Alexandria-Cairo-Red Sea with the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean

From Before European Hegemony by Janet Abu-Lughod (pp 136-1400

Trade routes from 1212 C.E.

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Posted at Dec 10/2007 09:13AM:
ian: This emphasis on trade and its potnetial to link disperate places has become a major frame for archaeology. Hence there has been so much attention on sites for their trade connectections (e.g. Africa, Quseir, Nishapur etc.)