Lesson 3: On the Road with Marco Polo: From Hormuz to Kashgar

NCSS.D1.1.3-5. Explain why compelling questions are important to others (e.g., peers, adults).

NCSS.D2.His.1.3-5. Create and use a chronological sequence of related events to compare developments that happened at the same time.

NCSS.D2.His.2.3-5. Compare life in specific historical time periods to life today.

NCSS.D2.His.3.3-5. Generate questions about individuals and groups who have shaped significant historical changes and continuities.

NCSS.D2.His.14.3-5. Explain probable causes and effects of events and developments.

NCSS.D2.His.16.3-5. Use evidence to develop a claim about the past.

NCSS.D2.Geo.2.3-5. Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions and their environmental characteristics.

NCSS.D2.Geo.3.3-5. Use maps of different scales to describe the locations of cultural and environmental characteristics.

Marco Polo and his father and uncle had traveled all the way from Venice to Hormuz, a port on the Persian Gulf. From here they had hoped to travel by ship to China. But they were so concerned about the seaworthiness of the ships they found there that they changed their plans and decided instead to follow a series of trade routes across Asia to China. They set out, traveling northeast through Persia until they entered Afghanistan.

Activity 1. From Hormuz to Kashgar

Afghanistan is a very rugged country. Find out about its geography by accessing this topographic Relief map of Afghanistan. Since very early times, most Afghans have been nomadic herders of cattle and camels. However, there are some craftsmen and merchants among them.

Discussion Questions:

• What difficulties might the Polos have encountered in traveling across the harsh terrain of Afghanistan?
• What might the living conditions in this region have been like?
• How did most of the local people make a living?

The Polos were now traveling along one of the main routes of the Silk Road. This network of trade routes had been used for centuries by merchants carrying products between China and the West.

• Access Silk Road and Electronic Passport to the Silk Road, both available through Internet Public Library. Notice that the main Silk Road route ends in Chang'an (modern Xian), China.

A thin strip of Afghanistan protrudes eastward into China. This is where the Polos encountered a major challenge: the towering Pamir Mountains.

• Access Elevation map of Afghanistan and using your cursor, point out the strip of Afghanistan that extends eastward into China. You might also indicate this area on the large world map in the classroom.
• Access Topography of western Asia and explain what the darker shades of brown indicate and what this likely meant for Polo's caravan, the local economy, and other elements of people's lives in this area.
• You can view an image of the rugged peaks of the Pamirs and learn more about contemporary issues related to Marco Polo's journey through National Geographic. 

Discussion Questions

• What is the terrain like in Afghanistan?
• What are some of the challenges in traveling across Afghanistan and into China?

Once they made it across the Pamirs, the Polos arrived in Kashgar, an important trading center. This is where merchant caravans could acquire fresh pack animals, water, and food supplies. This bustling town must have been a welcome sight after the rigorous trek through the deserts and mountains!

Carefully study the art sand artifact provided by the Asia Society and the video below to learn about life and culture along the Silk Road:

Discussion Questions:

• Why was Kashgar an important stop along the Silk Road?
• What sorts of products could be obtained there?
• What are some of the products sold in Kashgar today?

Instruct the students, working in pairs, to fill out the chart Marco Polo: From Hormuz to Kashgar in .pdf format. Then explain that Marco Polo was a very observant young man, who most likely kept a detailed diary of his travels. Have each student assume the role of Marco Polo and write an entry (or more) in his diary, describing the highlights of the journey from Hormuz to Kashgar.

Selected EDSITEment Websites

• Kashgar market
• Topography of western Asia
• The Silk Road