Xinjiang: The Crossroads of Eurasia

About this episode

This episode explores the historical significance of Xinjiang as a crossroads of Eurasia over the past 4,000 years.

While Xinjiang - in the extreme west of present-day China - is today a tightly controlled and repressed periphery, but for most of the past 4,000 years, it has been the crossroads at the heart of Eurasia. Practically every important technological and cultural innovation from the Neolithic onward has passed through this corridor, skirting the massive mountains and impassable deserts that block transit across the continent. New archaeological research is transforming how we think about this remarkable place and its history over the long term. Become a member now at www.patreon.com/cw/PastLivesMedia. You'll get access to the Past Lives Discord server and four pieces of bonus content per month (including a historian interview, book club, Q and A, and a sources and evidence discussion). Past Lives is a 100-percent independent production, and your support is what allows us to make this show. So, thank you.

People in this episode

Host: Patrick Wyman

Topics covered

• Xinjiang
• Eurasia
• archaeology
• cultural history
• technological innovation

Keywords

• Xinjiang
• Eurasia
• archaeology
• cultural innovation
• historical significance

Sponsors

Past Lives Media

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Xinjiang, China

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