Before the seventeenth century, various global exchanges took place, connecting distant parts of the world.

1. Example from Asia: The Silk Routes are a prime example of exchange originating from Asia. For centuries, these routes connected China to Europe and North Africa, facilitating the trade of Chinese silk, pottery, and spices westward. In return, precious metals like gold and silver, along with other goods, flowed eastward. These routes were not just for trade but also for the exchange of ideas, religions (like Buddhism), and cultures.

2. Example from the Americas: The "Columbian Exchange" that followed the discovery of the Americas involved a massive transfer of crops. Foods like potatoes, maize (corn), tomatoes, chillies, and groundnuts travelled from the Americas to the rest of the world. These new crops transformed diets and agriculture globally, particularly in Europe and Asia, leading to population growth.