Camels are strong and tough. Early traders used camels to transport their goods on the Silk Roads. They traveled miles and miles, while carrying 400 to 500 pounds of goods. They proved good for long trips like the Silk Roads. They can go long distances without drinking water, or food for a period of time. However, once they get a chance to drink water, they drink up to 25 gallons of water.

The Silk Roads became some of the world's most important trade routes in history. These trade routes were around since before 100 B.C. Traders became wealthy trading many goods, including silk from China. The trade routes extended from China to parts of Asia, Europe, and Africa. The main route was more than 4,000 miles long. Chinese traders did not travel with their goods on camels. They passed their goods to central Asian nomads. The nomads traveled in groups called caravans. The Trip took at least six months. They walked through hot

weather, icy mountains, and even sandstorms. They traveled in caravans (safety in numbers) to protect themselves and their valuable cargo.

Silk was China's main trade product. The silk was not easy to make. Silk fibers are made by silkworms when they spin themselves into a cocoon. They do this when becoming a silk moth. These very soft fibers are harvested from the cocoon in their raw state by being boiled in hot water (still containing the silkworms) and stirred until the cocoons unravel. The chinese workers removed strands of silk hand by hand, and then spin them into a thread. Silk Was sold for high prices. With the money made, they used it to pay soldiers. Demand for this silk was very high. This increased the price really high. Many became extremely wealthy from this trade.

Through cultural diffusion (learning ideas from other cultures through trade and interaction) Chinese ideas of paper making, metalwork and farming moves over China's borders. These inventions went as far as Western Europe. China adopted new ideas such as, buddhism. Buddhism actually began In India around 500 B.C. They set up Buddhist Shrines all along the Silk Road.