If you ever want to do some serious research about the Silk Road, or if you're just interested in learning some more about the life of people along it during the first millenium AD, there's one place you have to visit:

International Dunhuang Project

Rich database along with tons of photographies and illustrations - all researchable for your convenience. One of my favorite sections, however, is the Educational Links page, with notably a link to an online exhibition on the Silk Road which is also hosted by the British Library