The Chinese Civilization Originated on the Southwest Silkroad

This chapter explores the significance of the Southwest Silk Road in shaping Chinese civilization by examining paleo-archaeological, genetic, historical, and linguistic evidence. The Southwest Silk Road, connecting East Asia and Western Eurasia through Bangladesh and northeastern India, played a crucial role in the formation of Chinese civilization. Genetic analysis reveals migration routes of dominant Y-chromosome haplogroups (O, N, C, D) overlapping the Silk Road, with O-M134 becoming ancestors of proto-Sino-Tibetan speakers. Bangladesh likely served as a significant station for undifferentiated NO haplogroup members. With linguistic evidence, I also challenge the northern origin hypothesis, which placed the homeland of the Sino-Tibetan family in the middle Yellow River or Central Plain. Instead, I argue that early Sinitic speakers were highland pastoralists inhabiting the northern range of the Southwest Silk Road, specifically western Sichuan/eastern Tibetan Plateau. Ancient Bangladesh region, situated on the Silk Road's western range, significantly contributed to proto-Sino-Tibetan populations and the emergence of Chinese civilization.