[sphinx]

Agreed: the details of the burial suggest that the three European-type skeletons were probably long term residents if not necessarily natives. I wrote hastily; what I had in mind was a merchant colony, which could even have been of substantial size and duration. That doesn't rule out a stray "white tribe," but it's a plausible scenario. I am willing to be surprised by this part of the world.

Are there any records of Chinese travellers in Rome or elsewhere in the Mediterranean during ancient times? I would be surprised if there are not, but I don't know the field.

[Fedora]

"Are there any records of Chinese travellers in Rome or elsewhere in the Mediterranean during ancient times? I would be surprised if there are not, but I don't know the field."

Yes, it's known there was contact between the Han Dynasty and the Roman Empire. The Chinese exported silk to the Roman Empire.

[blam]

"That doesn't rule out a stray "white tribe," but it's a plausible scenario. I am willing to be surprised by this part of the world.

Be suprised. That whole Xinjiang Uygur Autonomus Region is covered with Caucasian skeletons and mummies that date to 2,000BC. The Chinese skeletons and mummies do not start to show up in that region until about 100BC. Here is a good book on the subject, it will be one on the best you've ever read.

The Tarim Mummies

"Are there any records of Chinese travellers in Rome or elsewhere in the Mediterranean during ancient times? I would be surprised if there are not, but I don't know the field."

I think the Han Dynasty sent an emissary to Rome in the early AD's.

[Cronos]

Are there any records of Chinese travellers in Rome or elsewhere in the Mediterranean during ancient times? I would be surprised if there are not, but I don't know the field.

I don't know of any. China mostly considered itself as the Middle Kingdom and allowed traders from IT's west to trade with china -- so these nomadic westerners would have traded with China and then traded with the Parthians or Arabs who would have traded with the Romans.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

> Are there any records of Chinese travellers in Rome or
> elsewhere in the Mediterranean during ancient times?
> I would be surprised if there are not, but I don't know the field.

You might find this a good starting point:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_embassies_to_China