Using four or more complete sentences, describe what nomadic travelers in Central and East Asia used to survive the harsh conditions of the tundra.
Nomadic travelers in Central and East Asia relied on various strategies and resources to survive the harsh conditions of the tundra. Firstly, they utilized traditional housing structures called yurts, which were portable and well-suited for the extreme climates. Yurts were made from lightweight materials such as wood and felt, allowing nomads to easily assemble and disassemble their shelters as they moved across the tundra.
Additionally, nomadic travelers relied on their herds of livestock for survival. These animals, such as reindeer, horses, and yaks, were well-adapted to the harsh conditions and provided a vital source of food, clothing, and transportation. Nomads would hunt or herd these animals, using their meat for sustenance, their hides for warmth and protection, and their milk for nourishment.
Moreover, nomads practiced a semi-nomadic lifestyle, having a vast knowledge of the land and its resources. They would migrate seasonally, following the availability of grazing lands for their herds. This allowed them to access fresh vegetation and ensured their animals' survival, while also minimizing overuse of limited resources in a particular area.
Lastly, nomadic travelers in Central and East Asia developed sophisticated techniques for preserving food. As the tundra offered limited opportunities for hunting and gathering during certain times of the year, nomads relied on methods such as drying and smoking meat and fish to sustain them during periods of scarcity. They would also gather and dry wild berries, mushrooms, and other edible plants in order to have a diverse diet that could endure throughout the long winters.
Overall, through their mobile lifestyle, animal husbandry, adaptation to the environment, and preservation techniques, nomadic travelers in Central and East Asia were able to survive and thrive in the harsh conditions of the tundra.