Indian Ocean Trading Network

By pkjamison
  • 90,000 BCE

    Prehistoric Era (90,000-5,000 BCE)

    During this era, the first known common human ancestors were living in Africa. Today, all non-african people are genetically connected to these people.
    A group of people known as haplogroup C followed the coastline of the Arabian peninsula and India until they finally reach Southeast Asia where they settle
    Rock Art became popular in Australia and in India became popularized
    Pebble Tools made by hominids easier than homosapiens in Malaysia
  • 5000 BCE

    Ancient Era (5000-1000 BCE)

    Ceramics used to create pots and art in Lapita culture
    Megaliths (stone statues) in Indonesia were discovered
    Cowrie shells are used as currency in South Asia
  • 1000 BCE

    Classical Era (1,000 BCE-300 CE)

    Cloves are dried and used in Indonesia for cooking/medicinal purposes from Europe- China
    Bananas were cultivated in New Guinea/Southeast Asia/India
    Silk in China is produced using a very difficult technique-becomes main export
  • 300

    Medieval Era (300-1,450 CE)

    Calicut- the city of spice/textile trade on the Malabar coast of India. It was a famous port for trade of Indian and other goods.
    Magnetic compasses are invented in China and spread to surrounding countries
    Paper was invented by the Chinese
  • 1450

    First Global Era (1450-1770 CE)

    Japan becomes the biggest country for whaling in the Indian Ocean
    Bungis Traders were settlers of the Java Sea Islands; they were known for their boatbuilding
    Silver enters the Indian Ocean trade all due to Spain sending silver to the American empire and then it making its way to the Philippines

  • Industrial/Imperial Era (1770-1914 CE)

    Commercial whaling from Polynesia
    European colonization comes to Papua New Guinea
    Mechanical Refrigeration makes its way across the Indian Ocean
    Ketchup brought by British/Dutch traders to Southeast Asia
    Indentured servants from India sent by British around the world as laborers

  • 20th Century and Globalization (1914 CE-present)

    Athletic shoes/clothing are typically made in countries near or surrounding the Indian Ocean and exported around the world
    Natural Disaster Relief becomes a humanitarian job
    Tsunami warning systems are created and utilized
    Cell phones are produced and exported