Discover the exotic places the Nabataeans traded with, and the variety of products that they offered to those wealthy enough to purchase.
Who were the ancient Arab Sea Traders?:
Historians tell us that throughout history Arabs have conducted trade between the ancient European kingdoms and Asia. Most ancient historians were content to simply call these traders …
How Far did the Ancient Nabataean Merchants Travel?:
How Far did the Ancient Nabataean Merchants Travel?
Around 287 BC Ptolemy II of Alexandria in Egypt set in motion a plan that would change the ancient world. Abandoning the life of military conquests …
Nabataean Trade Routes:
Many historians have puzzled over the early trade routes of the Nabataeans. Since there were no distinctive Nabataean cities at this time, most discussion on this topic disintegrates into vague …
Ancient Trade Items:
Far East Trade Routes
For thousands of years trade routes existed between the Middle East and Asia. Long before Marco Polo made his historic journey to China, Arab and Chinese traders moved thousands …
The Ancient Maritime Sea Route:
The Ancient Maritime Sea Route: 250 BC - 250 AD
During the period between 250 BC and 250 AD, a maritime sea route existed between Alexandra in Northern Africa and China. As trade took place along this …
Alexandria, Center of Trade:
The ancient city of Alexandria was founded in 332-331 BC by Alexander the Great. From it’s inception it was intended to be an important port for Egypt, for it would serve as a link between …
Shisr in South Arabia:
Is Shisr the famed ancient city of Ubar as some have claimed? Or is it something else? This location is in Oman, north of Salalah or is it in southern Jordan.
Nabataeans in Africa:
First Egyptian Connection
The city of Alexandria was established by Alexander the Great, and it quickly became a very important center for grain and other trade. As Alexandria gained importance as a …
Nabataeans on the Mediterranean:
Nabataeans on Rhodes
Nelson Glueck mentions in his book Rivers in the Desert, page 197 that a Graeco-Nabataean inscription was discovered on the island of Rhodes. This book was printed in 1968. …
Nabataeans in India:
The Indian Sub-continent was the natural meeting place for Arab, Indian and Chinese maritime merchants. The Malabar Coast on the west of India and the Chola Coast on the east witnessed a great …
Kingdoms of South India:
The Kingdoms of South India
The Mauryan Dynasty [322 BC - 185 BC]
The Mauryan empire was established under the leadership of Chandragupta Maurya (322 BC - 296 BC). Our knowledge of this period is …
Nabataeans and Sri Lanka:
The Kingdom of Ruhuna
Godavaya is located on the coast of Sri Lanka. Here Sri Lankan and German archaeologists excavate the old Kingdom of Ruhuna, gathering evidence of its glorious past. Excavations …
Southern Arabia:
Traditionally the Nabataeans have been known for their role in the incense trade. Frankincense and myrrh, the main components of the incense trade, were obtained from trees located in the southern …
Marib Dam:
The Marib Dam
As the Sabaean kingdom developed, they built a huge earth filled dam in the second half of the 6th century BC to hold back some of the water that came down the wadi. From the lake that …
East of Petra Trade Route:
In his translation of the Xiyu juan, or “Chapter on the Western Regions” from the Hou Han shu, John Hill proposes in his notes (nos. 12.21 and 12.24) that a trade route used to exist …
Nabataeans in China:
Chinese Texts
Through out Chinese history, Chinese explorers, ambassadors, and merchants made occasional trips to the western world. Many of their reports were written down. The …
Spice Route Time Chart:
The Spice Route Time Chart
Includes China, India, Arabia, Europe
Best viewed on a wider screen.
| Date | Europe | Arabia | India, Ceylon, … |
|---|
An Overview of Chinese History:
15th Century BC to 15th Century AD
A brief historical overview to help students of Nabataean history understand what was taking place in other parts of the world, and how these changes affected …
Trade on the Red Sea:
250 BC - 250 AD
During the period between 250 BC and 250 AD, a maritime sea route existed between Alexandra in Northern Africa and China. As trade took place along this route, a number of kingdoms …
Trade on the Arabian Sea:
Trade on the Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea Trade
A great deal has been said on this website about the trade routes between Alexandria and India/Sri Lanka. It …
Trade on the China Sea:
Trade in the Far East
In 1027 BC the Chou came to power in northern China. Their dynasty lasted more than 800 years until 221 BC. During this time, Chinese rule was extended and there was increased …
Dong Song Kingdom in Vietnam:
Funan Kingdom in Vietnam 250 BC - 250 AD
During the period between 250 BC and 250 AD, a maritime sea route existed between Alexandra in Northern Africa and China. As trade took place along this …
Book Review: 1421 The Year China Discovered the World:
Book Review: 1421, The Year China Discovered the World, by Gavin Menzies, Bantam Press, 2002
Review By Dan Gibson
This book puts forward the claim that Chinese admirals traveled around the world …
Travel the Incense Route from Ubar to Gaza:
Incense was located in Yemen in what is known as the Hadramout area, and also in Oman along the shores south of Ubar. To get the incense, Nabataean merchants traveled to Yemen and Oman, and then …
Nabataeans in Antarctica?:
It has been suggested by some of our readers, that the Nabataeans may have reached Antarctica, and even South America. This amazing claim is based on a theory that revolves around Piri Re’is …