Indian Ocean Trade Route

By cdally001
  • 5000 BCE

    Ancient Fishing Boats

    Flat-bottomed boat which made setting out from the coast easier.
    Unknown when they were developed.
  • 4000 BCE

    Millet

    Grains high in nutrition.
  • 1000 BCE

    Isodorus of Carax

    Documented the geography of Tehran, Iran by writing many books.
  • 1000 BCE

    Camels and Date Production

    Spread from southern Arabia to Somalia in east Africa, then to Ethiopia and Egypt.
  • Period: 1000 BCE to 300 BCE

    Classical Era

  • 600 BCE

    Phoenicians

    In the first millennium BCE, the Phoenicians dominated trade and travel. They traveled further than previous Mediterranean society's and created advanced ships and navigation techniques. They also established many trading colonies.
  • 500 BCE

    Hanno

    Hanno, a traveler from Phoenician city of Carthage was able to establish several colonies along the Moroccan coast.
    Established a trading post on small island off the coast.
  • 468 BCE

    Scylax of Caryanda

    Brought news of regions that were friendly and did encourage trade expeditions.
  • 400 BCE

    Mangrove Poles, Tortoise Shells, Ivory, and Rhinoceros Horn

    Goods traded between East Africa and other Coastal people of the Indian Ocean.
  • 330 BCE

    Alexander the Great

    Born in 356 BCE, he become king the ancient Greek state in 336 BCE and led the largest army. Alexander founded the city of Alexandria in Egypt. This city would become a center of art and trade.
  • 300 BCE

    Camel Saddle

    Useful for pastoral nomads and riding a dromedary (one-humped camel).
  • 300 BCE

    Kamal

    Useful navigation device used by Arab navigators. Used to measure distance from the horizon.
  • 138 BCE

    Zhang Qian

    Was an early pioneer for the 'Silk Road' trade routes.
  • 250

    Phoenician Ships

    Also called gauloi or round ships (they had rounded hulls).
    Between 65 and 100 ft. long, 20 ft. wide.
    Could accommodate up to 20 men.
  • 254

    Ashoka

    Helped to establish trade relations, thus helping India to trade with West Asian and Southeast Asian cultures.
  • 300

    Polaris

    Constellation of stars (aka the Little Dipper or North Star) that helps indicate the north.