The "Silk Road at Sea" refers to the maritime trade routes that connected Asia, particularly China, with Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, and East Africa. This network facilitated the exchange of goods such as silk, spices, and precious metals, similar to the overland Silk Road. These sea routes flourished from ancient times through the Medieval period, allowing for cultural and economic interactions among diverse civilizations. Key ports, like Malacca and Calicut, became bustling trade hubs, where merchants exchanged not only products but also ideas, technologies, and cultural practices.