The Silk Road is the name of different roads that long ago linked Europe，Africa and Asia．People reached these different places along these roads．Scientists and archaeologists believe people began to travel the Silk Road about 3，000 years ago．By the time the Chinese silk trade became important in the world，the Silk Road had covered almost 6，500 kilometers．It stretched from Rome to China，which is from the West to the Far East．
Merchants（商人）travelling along the Silk Road carried silk，of course．They also carried and traded spices，cloth，rare jewels，slaves and gold．
During its busiest period，the Silk Road allowed people from many different cultures and countries to meet each other and mix．The Silk Road allowed the sharing of precious goods and new ideas．These included people and trading goods from the Mediterranean，Persian，Magyar，Armenian，Bactrian，Indian and Chinese areas．All these peoples travelled the Silk Road，and they shared goods，stories，languages and cultures．
In modern times，the old Silk Road routes are still used，but now they are crossed by trains instead of camels and horses．There is even a Silk Route Museum in Jiuquan in China．It has over 35，000 0bjects from all along the Silk Road．In this way，China protects the history of many countries and peoples．
| The Silk Road |
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| In the past |
When |
People began to travel the Silk Road about（96） ago． |
| What |
▲Along the Silk Road，merchants（97） silk，spices，cloth and so on． ▲People from（98） met each other and mixed． ▲People shared precious goods，new ideas，stories，languages and culture． |
| How |
People used to（99） to cross the Silk Road routes． |
| At present |
China protects the history of many countries and people by（100） in Jiuquan． |
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