As Buddhism moved east from north India and Christianity moved west from the shore of the Mediterranean, both religions took with them new forms of art, architecture and worship.

The Nara to Norwich project (NaratoNorwich.org), based at the University of East Anglia, UK,  is exploring the effect on all aspects of life and landscape of the new religions at the edges of the Silk Roads. In this lecture, Professor Simon Kaner will introduce the project and discuss changing Buddhist landscapes and Professor Susan Whitfield will look more broadly at the history and influence of the Silk Roads.

Professor Simon Kaner is an archaeologist of early Japan and Director of the Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures (SISJAC) at the University of East Anglia, Norwich UK.

Professor Susan Whitfield is a historian of medieval China and the Silk Roads. She is a Professor of Silk Road Studies at SISJAC and was previously curator of Dunhuang manuscripts at the British Library.