For thousands of years, China was ruled by dynasties. Dynasties are royal families.

 

Just like the British royals, each Chinese dynasty was run by members of one family. The older members of the family would hand power to the next child in line. This sometimes continued for hundreds of years.

 

Chinese dynasties ended when they either ran out of children or relatives to take over, or they were overthrown by their enemies, or the people.

Traders who travelled the Silk Road usually used a caravan of camels. They chose camels ahead of other animals because they can carry heavy loads and need very little water.

 

Camels are also great at coping in the desert. Their bodies are practically built for dry, sandy, windy places. They can cope with sandstorms because they have a double row of eyelashes, hairy ear openings and nostrils they can close. Their feet are also perfect for the desert because they are soft and easily spread apart. That makes them good for walking on sand.