Didn't we have a post a year or two ago about silk being produced in europe?
I did look for that, but not that hard. Let's see... here are select results of a Google search for freerepublic, silk road, europe:
The Curse of the Red-Headed Mummy
Source: SaturdayNiteOnline (linked in WND)
Published: 15 May ,2001 Author: Heather Pringle
Posted on 05/15/2001 16:38:49 PDT by Hopalong
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3b01be094c7d.htm
The Curse Of The Red-Headed Mummy
The Birdman.com | 12-01-2002 | Heather Pringle
Posted on 12/01/2002 5:11:08 PM PST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/798838/posts
The Curse Of The Red-Headed Mummy
The Birdman.org | 5-18-2001 | Heather Pringle
Posted on 12/12/2003 9:21:21 PM PST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1039559/posts
The Stirrup and Its Effect on Chinese Military History
Source: Silk Road Foundation
Published: 1997-2000 Author: Albert Dien
Posted on 05/21/2001 20:21:08 PDT by Hopalong
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3b09db242417.htm
The Ten Lost Tribes: The Case for Afghanistan, Kashmir, and Pakistan
Moshiach.com | current | moshiach.com
Posted on 09/24/2001 8:53:22 AM PDT by xzins
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/531159/posts
Excavations Reveal 7,000 Year-Old Harappan Sites
Daily Times | 1-20-2004
Posted on 01/20/2004 3:30:39 PM PST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1061773/posts
Multiplication Table From 1,800 Years Ago Discovered In Hunan
Peoples Daily | 3-9-2004
Posted on 03/09/2004 4:04:42 PM PST by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1094206/posts
Ancient European Remains Discovered In Qinghai (China)
Xinhuanet/China View | 7-6-2004
Posted on 07/06/2004 11:02:03 AM PDT by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1166283/posts
China Unearths Ancient Caucasian Tombs
The Australian/AFP | 10-25-2004
Posted on 10/24/2004 12:43:53 PM PDT by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1255447/posts