Foreigner Leading A Camel

Tang dynasty
Shaanxi History Museum, Xi'an

The Silk Road trade was so important to the Tang dynasty, that their graves include almost endless representations of the camels that carried the trade goods, the attendants that took care of the camels, and the whole pageant of musicians, priests, diplomats, and merchants that plied their way along the Silk Road. Here a foreign merchant or camel driver is leading a camel (the camel is out of this photo, to the right). The "barbarian's" exotic dress and bearded physiognomy testify to the keen Tang interest in all the exotic people and things of their empire.