SilkLogan Selsky

Origin

• Silk originated in Neolithic China in the third millennium BCE.

• The first piece of silk was discovered in Henan province (which is widely regarded as the cradle of Chinese civilization) and dated back to around 3630 BCE

• According to Chinese myth, Lady Hsi-Ling-Shih (wife of the mythical Yellow Emperor who supposedly ruled in 3000 BCE) was the inventor of silk,

• She taught her people about sericulture and eventually invented the loom.

• Hsi-Ling-Shih is sometimes referred to as the goddess of silk.

Cultural Significance/Use

• Silk was regulated with a very strict code.

• Because of the quality of the product, only the wealthy and high standing citizens of the government were permitted to wear silk until the Qin dynasty

• In the third century BCE paper was made with silk in it and became the first form of luxury paper

• Mostly weavers were women- the industry brought in profit and eventually, land set aside for mulberry leaves (the main food source of silkworms) was exempt from reforms happening on agricultural land due to the thriving industry.

• Different silk

Importance of Trade

• During the Han dynasty (206 BC to 220 CE) silk was more than simply a material

• It became a way to pay government officials and compensate citizens

• Lengths of silk had a monetary value

• China's most valuable export for most of history

• The silk road began when China officially opened the silk trade with the west in 130 BCE

• Was a network of trade routes connecting China with most of the civilized world, including the Far East, the Middle East and Europe.

• Other products traded on the silk road included horses and saddles, animal furs, fruit, honey, and other natural or made goods.

Conflicts Regarding Silk

•Envy of china’s growing wealth thanks to silk pushed surrounding peoples to often rob China.•This happened in the 2nd century BCE with the Xiongu, continuing for around 250 years•Silk was commonly gifted as a peace-offering to the warring tribes.•In 552 the emperor Justinian sent two monks to Asia to steal silk worms and begin manufacturing silk and from there it spread across the continent.

How is silk made?

• The commercial production of silk threads and fabrics overall is known as sericulture.

• It begins with the cultivation of mulberry leaves, tending to silkworms and collecting the fine threads of silk off of the cocoons.

• Several filaments are twisted together to make one larger thread from which fabric can be woven with.

• Tapestries, clothing, jewelry, and furniture can all be made using silk fabric or thread.

Howwas silk

transported?

• There were three major methods of transportation.

• Camels were used to transport goods because they can endure extreme conditions and can go weeks without water and food.

• Horses were also employed due to their strength and durability.

• Groups of 5 to 12 horses and camels were calledcaravans, which were used until recently.

• Large amounts of goods could be transported on the backs of camels and horses which made for efficient travel

Who transports the silk

• Merchants and traders led the caravans of imports along the Silk Road, guiding silk to the destinations.

• Famous merchants include Zhang Qian, Ban Chao, and Marco Polo

• Merchants were considered the lowest class in ancient China but sometimes became so wealthy, restrictions were placed on them because the class of nobles felt threatened.

The Journey

• There were many dangers to travelling on the silk road, especially if a caravan was carrying such a valuable material as silk.

• Passing through the Taklamakan desert was deadly

• "Takla makan" literally means "go in, and you won't come out"

• Bandits, starvation, and thirst were all threats that could wipe out whole caravans

Typical Destinations along the Silk Road

• Trade stops along the silk road both added goods to be shipped and collected imports.

• These stops included major cities like Constantinople and Antioch, both part of the Roman Empire and Pataliputra, a major center of life in the Mauryan-Gupta empire.

• Silk was traded at these locations due to the high demand of the well-made and unique fabric

• India was particularly interested in the material so it was imported in that country/empire a great deal

Change in Value

• In Neolithic China and on the Silk Road, silk was used as peace offerings, an item to trade like any other, and also currency, having a monetary value.• The sericulture market is still worth millions of dollars today• The modernization of sericulture in Japan made the island the producer of over 60% of the world's silk• Today silk can range from $8 to $80

Works cited• Cartwright, M. (2018, November 01). Silk in Antiquity. Retrieved from

https://www.ancient.eu/Silk/

"Silk is a fabric first produced in Neolithic China..."

• Britannica, T. E. (2017, September 19). Silk. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/silk

Provided basic information on the material

• Silk Timeline. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/timeline/Silk/

Describes the beginning of the silk market and when the Silk Road began.

• Hansen, V. (2015). The Silk Road: A new history. New York: Oxford University Press.

"Merchants, like Polo and his uncles, provided..."

• Journeys on the Silk Road . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://journeysonthesilkroad.com/content/silkroad.html

"...between these two oases lay the Silk Road's most dangerous terrain."