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People of Austronesian descent, or from Philippines, Indonesia, and Southeast Asia, travel through the Indian and Pacific Ocean to visit and inhabit new lands such as New Zealand, becoming known as Polynesians.
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Sugar cane originates in Southeast Asia, and throughout the period of trade in the classical period traverses the Indian Ocean and becomes a trade staple to places such as India, and then places like Persia.
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Originating in New Guinea long beforehand, bananas make there way up the Indian Ocean to India and then westbound to Africa by 1000 B.C.E.
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Indigo dye, which becomes a highly coveted trade item, makes its first recorded appearance in Greek history but is traded all throughout the networks along the Indian Ocean.
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A time of great growth and expansion in civilizations, their trade, and religions; and overall transformative period.
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The vast Roman Empire enjoys Silk Road trade and goods from the Indian Ocean, and in turn spreads Christianity.
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During one of his finals invasions, Alexander the Great of Greece invades India, fostering more trade and bringing Greek ideals of mathematics and astronomy to India.
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During the Mauryan Empire, trade increased greatly, bringing Buddhism and goods to new places.
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Punch marked coins, silver coins inscribed with symbols or animals, appear as relics from the Maryuan era. This is one of the earliest forms of coins.
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A thin piece of land that separates the Indian Ocean and China Sea, called the Isthmus of Kra, is crossed, allowing Indian traders to bring trade more goods.
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Buddhism arrives in Sri Lanka, showing how religions crossed water into new territories.
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Ashoka rules in India, in which among many accomplishments, he spreads the idea of Buddhism throughout present-day Asia, reaching as far as places like Java and Sri Lanka.
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The Han Dynasty rules China, albeit with periods of fragmentation. The Han Dynasty was responsible for much of the Chinese trade on land to Rome and later via Indian Ocean.
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The Silk Road trade spans across the deadly Taklamakan Desert creates the land network of trade between China, Central Asia, India, the Mediterranean, and Africa. It was frequently traveled in search of silk, however other goods were also traded.
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Zhang Qian travels the Silk Road trade routes in 138 B.C.E., sent by Han Dynasty emperor Wudi in search of the Yuezhi. He increased Chinese trade and brought their ideals along with him.
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The Spice Trade, beginning in India, blossoms during this time period. Spices are considered a luxury good that people are willing to travel for, greatly heightening trade. Came from Asian areas such as India and China and spread to Africa and Europe.
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Pepper shows up in Africa and are considered a luxury product, often used a medicine in addition to a spice. This is an example of how trade originating in India, like the peppercorn, crossed the Indian Ocean into Africa.
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Japan was made up of hundreds of clans, and in the late 4th century, their spiritual ideals, such as the worship of the sun goddess, spread to Korea.
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Although hundreds of clans once lived in Japan, the 4th and 5th century C.E. saw Yamato gain strength throughout Japan. Their ideals would continue to permeate areas surrounding them.
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The Gupta Empire was a time of prosperity for India, where trade grew and there was religious tolerance, and Hinduism garnered lots of attention.
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During 5th century C.E. Chinese works are imported to Japan, bringing Chinese texts, philosophy, ideals, and of course language to Japan in the written capacity.
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Buddhism is adopted by Yamato domains like Japan, proving that it spread from Indian subcontinent across the Indian Ocean.
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