Caravan (Age of Empires II)

Caravan is a technology in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors that can be researched at the Market once the Castle Age is reached. Once researched, it allows Trade Carts and Trade Cogs to gather gold more quickly by moving 50% faster.

Having Caravan is very good way to gather gold in the later part of the game, when mine deposits are sparse or depleted, and also makes raids against Trade Carts less effective.

Civilization Bonuses

 * Chinese: Caravan is 15%/20% cheaper in the Castle/Imperial Age.

History
"Trade quickly rose from a simple peasant taking his cart to market to more sophisticated enterprises of multiple carts or baggage animals traveling between cities. Caravans of trade packhorses or other conveyances were more efficient because they were easier to manage and guard over long distances. The word caravan is derived from Persian and usually refers to trade parties traversing deserts or hostile regions. The most famous caravan trade route of the Middle Ages was the Silk Road from China to Constantinople or the eastern Mediterranean coast."

- The Conquerors manual