The primary function of the Silk Road was to facilitate trade and cultural exchange between the East and West. Established during the Han Dynasty of China around 130 BCE, the Silk Road connected China with regions such as Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. It was named for the lucrative silk trade that was highly sought after in the West. Merchants exchanged various goods, including spices, textiles, and precious metals, while also sharing ideas, technologies, and cultures, significantly impacting civilizations along the route.