Exhibitions: Exposition “Expedition. Silk Road. Masterpieces of the Hermitage” in Amsterdam

Until September 5, 2014 in the exhibition center "Hermitage-Amsterdam" is opening the exhibition "Expedition. Silk Road. Masterpieces of the Hermitage", telling of long forgotten civilizations that existed along the Silk Road. The exhibition includes wall paintings, sculpture, silk fabric, silver, gold, and ceramics - only about 250 artifacts found during archaeological expeditions of the XIX - XX centuries.

The exhibits come from various regions of the Silk Road, becoming a kind of commercial and cultural crossroad and a place of exchanging ideas.

The term "Great Silk Road" was introduced in 1877 by German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen to describe the trade routes between the Far East and the West through Central Asia. At this time, researchers have turned their attention to this region. The expeditions, organized by Russia, Britain, France, Germany, Sweden and Japan competed for more interesting finds. Dozens of expeditions were sent from Russia to Mongolia, western China, and later in Central Asia. Their findings, covering an extensive time period, make an extensive collection of the Hermitage Oriental Department.