The deserts of Asia form a wide, arid strip that crosses Central Asia between the Siberian forests and the tropical regions of southern border. Due to their geographical position, they have quite unique climatic characteristics. Populated by the Mongolian nomads of the Gobi, the Uighurs of the Taklamakan oases in western China, and the Rajputs of the Thar in the northeastern India, these deserts have been setting for a rich eventful history. The caravantrails that crossed them as early as the 1st millennium BC enabled the development of commercial and cultural links betwwen Asia and the West, which had important consequences for both sides. Thanks to the Silk Road, paper, printing, porcelain ansd silk reached the Western world, while China received in exchange wheat, cotton, and the decisive influence of religions such as Buddhism, Manichaeism, and Islam. Etienne Dehau explored this cultural crossroads and brings back a unique account of the history and daily lives of these desert peoples, as well as a surprising constantly evolving ecosystem.

Product details

• Publisher‏ : ‎ Hermé

• Language : ‎ French

• Hardcover‏ : ‎ 246 pages

• ISBN-10‏ : ‎ 2866653882

• Weight : ‎ 1,95 kg

• Size‏ : ‎ 32 x 25 cm