A Weaving of Civilizations: Textiles from Early Civilization to the Post-Classical Era

In the Beginning

5000 BCE

Before homosapien sapiens hand-rolled fibers into yarn to be weaved into clothing, the hides of animals were worn. Depending on the region, cattle, deer, tigers, jaguars and other animals offered more than meat. Though other organic and synthetic materials exist, furs and leathers are still very popular today.

Mesopotamia

3100 BCE

The geographic location of Mesopotamia allowed for flax plants to grow. The fibers of these plants were able to be spun into yarn that was weaved to create linen textiles. Though the exact date is not know of when it began, archaeological findings indicate flax linen dated far back.

China

3100 BCE

Before civilizations made contact with one another, they independently developed similarities with variations owed to geographical resources. Hemp grew along the Yellow River, and the fibers were weaved to create textiles in China.

Egypt

3100 BCE

Cotton was another plant that grew in arid to moist climactic regions such as Egypt and possibly India. As with flax and hemp, humans likely converted this crop into fabric around the same time.

Everywhere

3100 BCE

Wool is a product made from the soft hairs of sheep. Because sheep differ from region to region, civilizations likely produced wool yarn from region-specific goats which likely ranged from mohair to merino.

Indus River Valley

2500 BCE

The Indus River Valley was home to many colorful plants and vegetation that were heavily pigmented. Dying textile with indigo plants or turmeric allowed the IRV civilization to add color to the staunch textiles passed through trades.

Persia

580 BCE

During the Persian's run as a dominating empire, their expansion included Phoenecia which was home to a particular purple-dye producing snail. Purple gained it's reputation for being exclusively for royalty due to the extraction and collection process of the violet dye. Additionally, Cyrus the Great was said to have donned a purple cape and forbid others from wearing purple.

China (The Silk Road)

220 BCE

Silk had been used in China for many years prior to the Silk Road trading routes. Once the westward trading began, other regions were privy to the luxe fabric.

Greece-Rome

100 BCE

Rome was heavily influenced by Greek philosophies, culture, and also fashion. The laurel leaf crown seen on the heads of Julius Caesar, Augustus, and even Caligula, stem from the laurel crowns rewarded to victors of the Olympics or wars in Greece. This relatively small accessory illustrates that even small cultural markers can be adopted.

Constantinople

330

During the reign of the Byzantine Empire, monks smuggled silkworm eggs back to Constantinople where they were able to produce their own silk. This silk production allowed for non-Chinese silk to become a valuable trade commodity.

Indo-China

1000

Though it is not determined if the spinning wheel was invented in India or China, it is evident that the mechanism traveled along the Silk Road toward Europe. This device allowed for longer threads to be spun to essentially produce larger textiles used for things like sails or tapestries.

Japan

1100

During the Post-Classical Era, China continued to influence other Asian regions such as Korea and Japan. One such thing was the silk kimono that the Japanese adopted from China. These particular garment worn my officials and warriors in China showed cultural influences as it became everyday wear in Japan.

Middle East

1100

In the Middle East, imported silk was combined with cotton to create a luxurious yet less expensive fabric known as mulham. This fabric was used in tapestries as the cotton could be used as backing and silk used to embroider illustrations.

Middle East (Islamic Regions)

1100

While most regions began to embellish robes and tapestries with embroidered pictures of nobles, livestock, and day-to-day life, Muslims opposed such musings in addition to forbidding images of Allah. However, tiraz, or scriptures embroidered into the borders of robes, became the norm for clothing produced under Islamic states.

A Hiccup in Production

1348

During the outbreak of the Bubonic Plague, people attempted to avoid contacting the deadly disease by avoiding travelers and merchants as well as leaving their own family behind. Additionally, livestock were effected by the Black Death and many of the wool producing sheep were killed. The Bubonic Plague caused economic devastation as well as health pandemonium.