The Silk Road impacted the history and development of numerous countries in Eurasia, but we should not forget the role of the small, southern Caucasus country of Azerbaijan.

We know from written, archaeological, linguistic, and ethnographic data that several of the old Silk Road “highways” passed through Azerbaijan. These transportation corridors were not chosen randomly, successful routes depended on the availability of water and food at caravanserais along the route. In general, the routes traversed countries where travelers and merchants encountered civilizations and cultures that would allow the caravans to pass through peacefully and profitably. Azerbaijan met these criteria. In particular, the talented and hardworking Azeri craftsmen had many goods to offer to foreign merchants and the land itself had abundant natural resources. The savvy traders from all over Asia brilliantly negotiate for these goods and materials, thus obtaining additional desirable products on their travels through Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan was well-known in the East for its delicate jewelry and its musical instruments made of wood and brass. The country also had other rare goods to offer: crude oil, precious stones, mercury, alum and carpets. Azeri carpets were well known for their high quality and ancient artistic traditions. The local carpet industry was well established with ample raw materials such as wool, cotton, flax, silk, and hemp. Areas such as Tabriz, Ardebil, Shemahy, Ganja, Nahchivan, Meraga and Maranda produced a variety of natural dyes made from fig and wild grape leaves, henna, and wildflowers and plants. These ingredients yielded lovely colors ranging from dark ochre to a light cream color.

Azeris were also famous for metalwork, especially the production of weapons. Daggers decorated with intricate designs were highly prized both in Asia and the West. The most important weaponry centers were Baku. Tabriz, Shemahy, Sharan and Ganja. In addition to bows, arrows, spears, sabers, swords and daggers, these cities exported shields, armor, mail, and helmets. Copper items were also popular and included plates, cups, basins, kettles, boilers, trays, jugs, candlesticks and even astronomical apparatuses. Today, Azeri craftsmen in the village of Lagich continue to produce copper goods in the tradition of their ancestors, passing their manufacturing techniques from generation to generation.

In addition to buying goods such as carpets, weapons, jewelry, salt, fish glue and oil products from Azerbaijan, traders of the Silk Road also sold many goods to local merchants. Silk fabric, China dishes and vases, paper, and medicine from China were all desirable items in Azeri markets. After the silkworm made its way to Azerbaijan, silk manufacturing became a profitable local business. Arab geographers and chroniclers of the IX and X centuries A.D. noted significant development of the silk industry in Shemahy, Barda, Sheki and Ganja. These cities also exported raw silk and silk fabrics to other countries. Shemahy, in particular, soon became a major silk trading market of the Silk Road. Merchants from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, India, Central Asia, and Russia all came to Shemahy. Manufacturers from Venice and Florence also came, purchasing raw silk at premium prices. Later, Sheki became the largest silk-producing center of the Caucasus.

The Silk Road impacted the history and development of numerous countries in Eurasia, but we shouldn't forget the role of the small, southern Caucasus country of Azerbaijan. For hundreds of years, it was an important segment of the Silk Road, where merchants from many different cultures crossed paths, sharing not only their material goods, but their cultural and spiritual values.