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As early as 3,000 b.c.e., natives of the Indian subcontinent noted a specialized wind pattern that occurred during the monsoon season.
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Greater definition of the monsoon season wind pattern leads to an interest in trading.
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Scylax of Caryanda was an early explorer who traversed the Indian Ocean in service of Persia's King Darius. He returned with positive news regarding the potential for trade and later wrote a handbook for mariners.
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Though the Persian Empire would fall before the majority of trade routes were established, the Persians were part of Indian Ocean trading through the later years of the empire.
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One invention facilitated Indian Ocean trade more than any other: the dhow boat, which allowed for large and heavy goods to be transported easily across large bodies of water. Unfortunately, there are no precise records as to which society invented the dhow.
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It is likely that Mesopotamia took part in early Indian Ocean trade, though they seem to have become less involved as time passed. Glassware appears to be their most common export, and glass luxury items have been found in dig sites in China and India.
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Between 500 and 300 b.c.e., Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism spread to cultures surrounding the Indian Ocean.
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The Mauryan Empire of the Indian subcontinent began using the Indian Ocean for trading as early as 350 b.c.e.
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Trade was well-established by the third century b.c.e. Most major players were in place and main ports were being established.
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Ubar, a port in present-day Oman, thrived due to its production of incense.
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Africa traded in-land to acquire goods to use in their Indian Ocean trading. These goods included gold, iron, and ivory.
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Asia produced many fine goods that were in high demand, including silk, cotton, and porcelain.
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India traded a variety of goods as well, mainly gold, medicine, spices, clothing dyes, and pearls.
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The Han Dynasty of China was next to contribute to Indian Ocean trade, beginning as early as 200 b.c.e.
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Frankincense and myrrh are made from the sap of trees that grow exclusively in Ethiopia, Somalia, and southern Arabia. This incense was commonly transported on the so-called Incense Road, but a fair portion also made its way across the Indian Ocean.
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Though the Roman Empire was somewhat late to the trading game, they revolutionized the processes with three major ports.
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The Romans exported a variety of goods to the Indian Ocean trade. Wine, clothing, and various metals were the main goods. The Romans also traded coins if the value of the metal they were made of was able to be traded favorably.
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Archaeologists have uncovered Roman coins from the early days of the common era in India, China, and other far-off places.
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'Periplus of the Erythraean Sea' was a trader's handbook written and published around 70 CE by an Egyptian merchant (Periplus). It was written in Greek.
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Ships returning from military missions brought back what was called the Antonine Plague (most historians believe it to have been a form of smallpox). The disease ravaged Rome for fifteen years, permanently damaging Rome's relationship with the Indian Ocean trading routes.