NEW TPO 3 What will the speaker most likely discuss next?

[00:00.00](N) Listen to a talk in a history class.
[00:01.00](M-Br) The Silk Road is an ancient trade route that connected the East and West. The Silk Road was not a single path but a network of trade routes that spanned thousands of miles, going through the modern-day countries of China and India, and further into Europe. It played a crucial role in the development of the civilizations it connected. It facilitated not only trade but also cultural exchange and the spread of ideas. Merchants on the Silk Road traded a wide variety of goods, from silk and spices to precious metals and artwork. The route was named after the lucrative trade in silk fabric, which was one of the most sought-after commodities from China. However, it's important to note that the exchange was not limited to physical goods. It also included knowledge, technology, and religion. For example, Buddhism spread from India to China partly through interactions along the Silk Road. The cities along the route, such as Samarkand and Baghdad, became prosperous centers of commerce and learning. They were melting pots of different cultures, languages, and traditions. Next, we'll explore the impact of the Silk Road on the economic development of Europe.