This lecture explores the dynamic cross-cultural interactions during the Middle Ages, highlighting East Asia’s role in the early stages of globalization. Dr. Park's research on the significant impact of technological and knowledge transfers will be central to this discussion. This includes the increase in geographic understanding between China and the Islamic world from around 750 to 1500, and the advent of soju through the distillation technology exchange in Eurasia, as explored in her works Mapping the Chinese and Islamic Worlds: Cross-Cultural Exchange in Pre-Modern Asia and Soju: A Global History. The lecture will emphasize the Silk Road’s role in facilitating these exchanges, particularly during the Mongol era, and reflect on how these interactions shaped East Asia’s scientific and cultural landscape. The aim is to offer insights into the complexity and significance of these historical cross-cultural contacts, demonstrating their lasting influence on global history and their relevance to contemporary global dynamics.
