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5000 BCE
Ubar
Wealthy from its incense trade routes, frankincense tress produced a sap that was in high demand. This was used in temples, as medicines, and as perfumes by regions all over. This began the great sea trading. -
Period: 1500 BCE to 300
Indian Ocean Trade: 1500 BCE-300 CE
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1000 BCE
Kamal
A device created for sea travelers to navigate through the Indian Ocean. It was designed to help figure out coordinates. This helped travelers get across the ocean during monsoon winds. -
510 BCE
Scylax of Caryanda
A voyager who went sailing for riches he heard of in India. He encouraged trade expeditions by traveling to many different regions such as Egypt, Yemeni Port, and Oman. -
300 BCE
Buddhism
A religion that was spread from the increase of trade. -
70
Periplus of the Erthraean Sea- First century CE
An Egyptian merchant writes about copper, wood, pearls, cloth, gold, and frankincense regularly exchanged through the Indian Ocean. Regions such as Roman, Egypt, India, African Coast, Red Sea ports, and the Arabian Peninsula all made trade exchanges. -
77
Famous Text-77CE
A famous text from the Natural History encyclopedia. It discussed the popular trade of frankincense and myrrh between the Roman Empire and Arabian Peninsula. This was known as the "Incense Road". Spices like cinnamon and cardamom were also traded. -
100
Millet-first century CE
A grain that is high in nutrients used to make bread and porridge. Different types of millets spread across the trade route of the Indian Ocean from Asia and Africa. -
300
Aksum- third century CE
A wealthy kingdom that traded frequently through the Indian Ocean. They mostly traded African gold and ivory but also exported gems, spices, and incense as well. They traded often with Greece, India, Sri Lanka, and Persia. -
300
Sri Lanka- third century CE
Links the eastern and western parts of the Indian Ocean. Became a major port. Famous for exporting cinnamon.