Travels of the Eurasian Lute: Understanding Cultural Exchange on the “SilkRoad”

What do we mean when we say something “travels along,” or “was spread along the silk road”?  The paths and processes of cultural exchange are quite complicated, once we think about them.  If we find similar things or ideas in different places, is that similarity the result of independent invention?  A common earlier source?  Direct transfer from point A to point B?  Inspiration followed by re-invention or local reconfiguring?  This lecture uses the example of lute-type instruments (with strings, a neck and a resonating chamber) to explore the complexities of Eurasian cultural exchange, from the third millennium BCE first examples to the lutes, pi-pas, ouds, barbats, guitars and various viols that are today part of our global heritage.

James A. Millward 米華健 is Professor of Inter-societal History at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, where he teaches Qing, Chinese, Central Asian and world history. Millward is the academic editor for the “Silk Roads” book series published by Chicago University Press, and former president of the Central Eurasian Studies Society. He is currently a fellow at the Princeton Institute for Advanced Study.