Final answer:
The process by which distinct cultures influenced each other through trade and travel before 1500 CE is known as cultural diffusion, which has shaped the modern world and contributed to global interconnectedness.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process through which distinct cultures influenced each other, often through trade and travel, and merged and spread across different regions before 1500 CE is called cultural diffusion. This period laid the foundations for the modern world we live in, shaping aspects of religion, politics, education, science, and more. As peoples moved and exchanged ideas and technologies, they contributed to global interconnectedness, even as distinct societies held onto some cultural uniqueness and resisted complete homogenization. The movement of ideas and goods not only transformed local cultures but also spurred significant innovation and exchange, leading to advances and sometimes controversial shifts in civilizational development.