A breakthrough in chemical analysis of glass beads and silver coins found in the ancient Korean port of Gyeongju has revealed a direct maritime trade link between the Silla Kingdom and the Abbasid Caliphate. Researchers identified traces of Middle Eastern cobalt and specific silver alloys that confirm a robust exchange of luxury goods spanning the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea during the 8th and 9th centuries.
This study provides the first material evidence of the 'Silver and Spices' Route, a southern maritime branch of the Silk Road that bypassed traditional land routes through Central Asia. The findings suggest that Korean merchants were highly integrated into the global trade networks of the Islamic Golden Age, exchanging silks and ginseng for frankincense, glassware, and silver bullion.