Why can the silk road be described as a social system rather than simply as a transportation route?

It could be considered a social system because of the way it is organized. First of all, it might present cultural fusion, that is to say; religion, technology, etc are key elements for its functioning. Then, people who work in the trade road need a language. There can be found a misture of culture due to the amount of people working in this system. As regards religion, it might be said that the Silk Road helps to its expansion and spreading. 

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