Ancient trade routes were a source of exchange of many things, including ideas, technology, leaders, and animals. Therefore, the statement that ancient trade routes were not a source of exchange of any of these things is incorrect. Rather, ancient trade routes facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultural practices between different regions and civilizations. For example, the Silk Road, which connected China to the Mediterranean world, allowed for the exchange of silk, spices, tea, and other luxury goods, as well as ideas and technologies such as papermaking, gunpowder, and the compass. Similarly, the trans-Saharan trade routes facilitated the exchange of gold, salt, and slaves, as well as ideas and technologies such as Islam and Arabic writing.