¶ … Cross-Cultural interaction between Eurasia and Africa in the 1000-1500 period Cross-cultural trade between Eurasia and Africa during the 1000-1500 time period is owed to a series of factors such as several countries adopting more liberal attitudes toward other communities and developing an interest in the profits coming along with getting actively involved in trading. The Silk Road is often considered a principal element when regarding this subject, as it made it possible for numerous individuals from around the world to join in a society trading numerous concepts ranging from silk itself to spices and even to cultural values. Products, religions, and foreign languages all ended up being shared between individuals travelling this route.

While many have the tendency to focus on this Middle Ages in particular when considering this topic, one should concentrate on the process' background in order to gain a more complex understanding as to why it was so successful in the 1000-1500 era. The Roman Empire played a major role in establishing the connection and in encouraging traders from a diverse set of cultural backgrounds to get involved in trading.

Spices are generally regarded as one of the principal...

"On their return from the Crusades in the Near East (1095-1291) the crusaders brought with them a taste for Eastern spices, and interest was further stimulated by Venetian Marco Polo's 1298 accounts of his travels in the Far East." (Anderson, Bingham, Chrisp, & Gavett 715)
The presence of Muslim rulers in Europe during the Middle Ages also contributed to the trade business between the Eurasia and Africa regions. As Muslims in Europe cooperated with those in Africa and as Africa was an effective route for trade between Asia and the rest of the world, individuals in these regions focused on exploiting their resources to the fullest while supporting trading.

Individuals in the Mediterranean basin produced cotton in large amounts and this provided them with the opportunity to trade it with Eastern cultures. "For most of the Middle Ages, cotton clothing was scarce outside of lands of the Mediterranean basin." (Newman 97) The fact that these respective countries had a positive environment for the growing of cotton supported cotton suppliers there and made them intriguing collaborators for individuals in the East.

Mining was also seen as…