Israel finds 1,300-year-old “dyed silk”Researching for the species of “silk worms” digging up the origin of ancient fabrics
Israel finds “dyed silk” – Xinhua Reported that the University of Haifa, Israel revealed. Israeli archaeologists discovered dyed rag Imported, over 1,300 years old, hundreds of pieces, some of which are silk originating in China. Including cotton imported from India, Iran and Sudan.
The discovery was made during excavations in the Arava Valley. south east of israel Under the cooperation between the University of Haifa Israel Antiquities Organization and other universities
An Israeli archaeologist shows imported colorful fabrics at a lab in the University of Haifa (UH) in Haifa, Israel, Jan. 19, 2023. Israeli archaeologists have discovered hundreds of 1,300-year-old imported colorful fabrics, the University of Haifa (UH) said in a statement on Tuesday. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)
“This discovery indicates that there was a previously unknown Israeli Silk Road. It is a branch of the famous Silk Road network that linked ancient China to the whole world.” Guy Bar-Oz said a senior archaeologist at the University of Haifa and head of the research.
“At that time There is a strong monopoly on Chinese silk around the world,” Bar-Oz said. Molecular genetic research on silk remains may help identify silkworm species and reveal where silk originated in China, he added.
The colors of the fabric remains intact and come in a variety of shades such as indigo, madder red, brown and other shades. While some Indian cotton fabrics are Mudmee fabrics. and other pieces of cloth intricately woven It still appears in carpet-making in Iran and other Central Asian countries.
A piece of imported colorful fabric is seen at a lab in the University of Haifa (UH) in Haifa, Israel, Jan. 19, 2023. Israeli archaeologists have discovered hundreds of 1,300-year-old imported colorful fabrics, the University of Haifa (UH) said in a statement on Tuesday.(Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)
Israeli archaeologists also found several other imported items, such as leather straps, belts, socks, insoles, combs, and backgammon board game dice. Hygiene products like earwax, bandages, etc.
The University of Haifa concluded that the discovery of such a large quantity of rags indicates high demand for luxury products from the Far East region. Including the advancement of technological development. and globalization that spreads influence over the Middle East region
A view of Timna Park in the Arava Valley in southern Israel, January 26, 2021. (Mendy Hechtman/Flash90)
A map showing the traditional routes of the Silk Road. (Wikimedia Commons; CC BY-SA 3.0)
Uncleaned textiles uncovered at Nahal Omer. (Israel Silk Road Project/University of Haifa)
Preserved textile from Nahal Omer that was made in the so-called warp-ikat technique. (Israel Silk Road Project/University of Haifa)
Preserved textile from Nahal Omer that was made in the so-called warp-ikat technique. (Israel Silk Road Project/University of Haifa)
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