Final answer:
Beyond material goods, Islamic trade routes facilitated the exchange of cultural and intellectual influences, including the spread of languages like Arabic and Persian, the dissemination of Islamic culture, and the sharing of technological advancements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Other than goods and wealth, one profound thing that was exchanged on Islamic trade routes was cultural and intellectual influences, such as language, religious practices, and technology. Knowledge and ideas flowed along these roads, just as silk, spices, and other commodities did. As merchants, scholars, and missionaries traversed these routes, they carried with them their beliefs, traditions, and technological insights, facilitating a vibrant exchange of culture and intellect.
For instance, languages like Arabic and Persian spread and became the languages of commerce, scholarship, and literary expression. This linguistic convergence also contributed to the spread of Islamic culture and educational practices, thereby significantly impacting the regions interconnected by the trade routes. Moreover, traders also shared advancements in technology such as improvements in mapmaking, navigation, and even new military weaponry like firearms and artillery, which had substantial implications for societies along the trade routes.