History of Carpet

It is difficult to point out when and where did the first carpet and the art of carpet making originated. The general areas where the carpets may have been first produced are the Persia, Turkmenistan, central Asia Mongolia and China also known as the "Carpet belt".

The origin can be traced back to the Neolithic age (7000 BC) where products of the era consisting of warp and weft were textile resembling flat weave rugs have been found. Following that, the rugs were created by forming knots to make a pile. It is speculated by the researchers that they may have originated in the dry steppe regions inhabited by the nomads. Instead of slaughtering their animals, the nomadic tribes of the region wove their wool into carpets. The carpets were used on floors and walls to provide protection from the weather, insects and dirt.

One of the earliest carpets has been found in the tomb of a Scythian Prince in southern Siberia and it dates back to 5th century BC. This region is inhabited by the followers of Islam and so the carpets play an important role in Islamic culture as well as religion. Used as floor, bed or coverings at the time of origin carpets have become a thing of exotic decoration and class.

The carpets were at one point so highly regarded and valued that they were considered more valuable than money. According to a legend, the great Egyptian Queen Cleopatra actually presented herself to Caesar - rolled up inside a carpet. Marco Polo discovered some of the earliest fine Orientals in the 13th century while traveling in Persia. He can be given the credit of introducing the craft outside the carpet belt.