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Marco Polo And The Silk Road
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MARCO POLO
Marco Polo (1254-1324) was a 13th century
explorer from Venice who spent 24 years living in and travelling through Asia.
He was one of the first Europeans to journey into Mongolia and China and became
a close confidant of Kublai Khan, ruler of the Mongol Empire. When he returned
home, he wrote about his travels along the Silk Road to China.
In a time
when that region of the world was almost completely unknown, Marco Polo's
account of the people, places, cultures and customs of Asia enthralled the
Western world, although not everyone believed his incredible claims.
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MARCO POLO'S DISCOVERIES
Upon returning home,
Marco Polo described a number of Asian innovations that he had encountered
during his travels. These marvels included:
 Paper money, unheard-of
in Europe, where currency was based on precious metals like gold and
silver.
The postal system, inspired by Kublai Khan's efficient
three-class messenger service.
Coal, which in fact was known to Europe at
that time but new to Marco Polo himself.
Asbestos, a marvellous (but now
known to be dangerous) cloth-like material that did not burn.
Petroleum, a
liquid mineral that could be used as fuel.
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