Episode Two

In this episode, historian Dr Sam Willis continues to retrace the steps of explorer Zhang Qian to the city of Dunhuang. This journey takes us to a part of the Silk Road often overlooked and yet the place of major innovations, big historical characters and a people - the Sogdians - whose role was pivotal to it's the success. With warhorses and a trade with the Sogdians, China saw the creation of a network of trading paths carved out across thousands of miles by merchants, traders, envoys, pilgrims and travellers. It is known to us today as the Silk Road.