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FEATURE IMAGE COURTESY WIKIMEDIA The Silk Road (in green) was a key trade route that ran through Asia from modern-day China to Eastern Europe, passing through what is modern-day Iraq (highlighted). Traditions of trade and commerce run deep in the Chaldean community. Paths marked in red represent other caravan routes. From Mesopotamia to the Motor City How pioneering Chaldeans created a community in Detroit BY CAL ABBO Part II Silk Road Roots Ancient Mesopotamia was home to many great civilizations over different time periods. Because of the people and their inventions, the area is famous for many things, even as history is taught today, and is credited with the birth of society and cities. Writing, agriculture, laws, math, astronomy, citystates, architecture, and many more aspects of modern-day society that we take for granted originated in this area and within these communities. Central to almost all these components are trade and commerce, responsible for furnishing these cultural elements around the world and developing them further. Often, Mesopotamia found itself playing a critical role connecting the Far East, the Middle East, and parts of Europe. Early trade in these societies, according to the World History Encyclopedia, involved basic goods like ceramics, grain, leather, oils, and textiles. Trade was conducted initially between city-states and in the beginning, these areas did not have the capacity or logistics to travel to other civilizations, many of which were too simple to be called such. Archaeologists discovered evidence that as humankind developed, ancient cities like Eridu, Ur, Uruk, and Nippur came into contact and experienced economic exchange with the Indus Valley civilization in modern-day west India around 7,000 years ago. As a result of this contact, Mesopotamia’s influence, as well as their tangible goods, may have reached as far as the Yellow River civilization in modernday China. When it began, this trade network would be traveled mostly on foot. Sometimes, these people were lucky enough to have pack animals to carry goods and supplies. A journey of this magnitude could take months or years to complete and likely involved other trade mediators, nomadic or settled, between the two civilizations. Early trade generated a critical moment in world history. It spurred economic development and led to the creation of many fundamental technologies. Trade of all kinds led to enhanced record-keeping and the development of cuneiform, the earliestknown writing in human history and perhaps the strongest comparative advantage leading to Mesopotamia’s wealth and dominance. Later, writing technology would encompass the full scope of spoken language, allowing for exponentially greater understanding of ancient societies as we uncover the past and chart the development of literature. From these records, historians discovered the existence of glass and textile factories in Mesopotamia that employed thousands of people. The economies of city-states relied on these trade routes for goods not available in their region and surplus grain that encouraged exponential population growth. Long-distance trade gradually increased in volume over the centuries. This reality enhanced the development of animal domestication, leading to increased use, breeding, and expertise surrounding donkeys, camels, and horses. Eventually, inventors realized the usefulness of a circular wheel pulling platforms of goods to and from different places. It’s an appropriate coincidence, then, that many Chaldeans in modern times chose to move to the Motor City, which can trace its technological history directly to the invention of the wheel and supply carriage. Roads exploded in popularity. Outposts and settlements were added along trade routes and on paths to major cities. City-states and empires raised armies to defend these lucrative trade routes from highway robbers. As trade and civilization continued to develop, more and more individuals became involved in the industry and helped disperse goods once they arrived at their destination. Networking, merchanting, and warehousing grew alongside, and MESOPOTAMIA TO MICHIGAN continued on page 24 22 CHALDEAN NEWS FEBRUARY 2024
FOLLOW THE SILK ROAD From Mesopotamia to Michigan OUR DISTINGUISHED PANELISTS JACOB BACALL KARAM BAHNAM MIKE DENHA JEFF DENHA PLUS, A SURPRISE GUEST! OPENING COMMENTS ADHID MIRI, PhD Cultural & History Writer, Chaldean News MODERATED BY SARAH KITTLE Editor-in-Chief, Chaldean News THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2024 6:30 PM SHENANDOAH COUNTRY CLUB 5600 WALNUT LAKE ROAD WEST BLOOMFIELD MI 48323 Emerging from an ancient culture and developing over centuries — at the crossroads of the “silk road” and other trade routes between East Asia, the Middle East and Europe — Chaldeans brought traditions of trade to Michigan, when they first began to settle in the Detroit area a century ago. Part of a year-long initiative to share the Chaldean Story, this forum will explore the roots of the Chaldean entrepreneurial spirit. The event will feature a distinguished panel of entrepreneurs who will share personal stories about the generational influence on their own success. Adhid Miri, PhD will provide a historical context and Chaldean News Editor in Chief, Sarah Kittle will moderate the event. There is no cost to attend, please register at chaldeannews.com/silkroad Everyone who registers in advance will be entered into a drawing to win a limited edition “Made in Nineveh” gift box. This event is made possible with generous support from Michigan Stories, a Michigan Humanities Grants initiative. FEBRUARY 2024 CHALDEAN NEWS 23
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