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Carpet weaving is an ancient craft that dates back thousands of years. From the intricate patterns of Persian rugs to the colorful designs of Moroccan carpets, carpet weaving traditions have developed independently across many different cultures and civilizations. However, despite the ubiquity of carpets and rugs in human history, their origins and evolution often remain shrouded in mystery.

By uncovering the hidden histories of carpet weaving in different regions around the world, we can better appreciate how this decorative art form connects many diverse cultures across vast expanses of time and space.

The early history of carpet weaving

One of the earliest sites of carpet weaving is believed to be in Central Asia. Archaeologists have uncovered woven carpets from tombs in Siberia and Mongolia dating back to between the 5th and 3rd centuries BC.

These nomadic tribes used felt and wool from domesticated sheep to weave sturdy floor and saddle carpets adorned with simple geometric motifs. Additional archaeological evidence shows that the advanced civilizations of ancient Persia also produced ornate carpets as early as 400 BC. Persian carpets from this era often featured curvilinear vine scrolls, palmettes, and lotus blossoms, patterns which continue to inspire Persian carpet designs today.

Spread of Carpet Weaving in the Islamic World

The art of carpet weaving spread across the Middle East between the 6th and 10th centuries AD as Arab traders and new Islamic empires conquered vast swaths of territory. Distinctive Arabic-Islamic symbols and motifs emerged such as the boteh, an abstract teardrop or leaf pattern.

By the early medieval period, the main carpet weaving centers were based in Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, and Muslim parts of Spain. Spanish Muslims in particular brought new materials and dyes to the region, especially indigo blue, cochineal red, and brazilwood yellow.

Silk Carpet Weaving in Imperial China

Meanwhile in Asia, carpet weaving with silk emerged during the Han Dynasty in China around 200 BC. By the Tang Dynasty between the 7th and 10th centuries AD, imperial Chinese workshops were producing extremely fine silk carpets decorated with ducks, dragons, and phoenixes as well as geometrical lattice patterns. Chinese carpet designs went on to influence traditions in Tibet and Mongolia over the following centuries.

Ottoman Turkish Carpets

During the Renaissance between the 14th and 17th centuries, carpet weaving in Turkey came under the patronage of the Ottoman court. Turkish carpets now displayed a fusion of Chinese, Persian, and indigenous Turkish designs, rendered in rich red and navy hues. Superior dyeing techniques strengthened their color saturation. By the 17th century, Turkish carpets were prized as some of the most technically accomplished in the world.

Mughal Imported Persian Carpet Traditions to India

In India, the first hand-knotted carpets were introduced by the Mughal rulers in the 16th century who brought Persian carpet artisans to their courts. A unique fusion of Persian and Indian aesthetics began to emerge in palace workshops under Akbar’s reign, while rural communities across India wove beautiful floor coverings with local wool and cotton.

Global Spread Through Trade and Colonialism

Through transcontinental trade networks, colonialism, and globalization, the tradition of handmade carpet weaving has now spread and transformed across almost every inhabited region of the world. Uncovering the interwoven and hidden histories of carpets reveals how this ancient craft has connected human creativity across countless cultures through its colorful and enduring threads. The global evolution of carpet weaving is not linear, but consists of constant cross-cultural migrations, hybridizations, and innovations across space and time.

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