Re: TW in China

[Andrea Pfeifer]

Sponsored by TWIST - Tablet Weavers International Studies & Techniques

... from "History of Textile Technology of Ancient China", Cheng 
Weiji, chief compiler (New York: Science Press, 1992), pages 36-38 
...

(2) Card looms
The high level attained in hand twining and the integration of this 
skill with the operation of the back-strap loom led to the emergence 
in the Neolithic Age of a new type of loom with cards, as evidenced 
by unearthed fabrics of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties. [my note: 
Shang Dynasty 1766-1050 B.C.E, Zhou Dynasty 1027-777 B.C.E.]
hm. this is darn early.... but way cool!

Well !
Thoughts, anyone?
Did TW erupt in two different places, sort of like the pyramid idea?
Did TW originate in China and migrate to Europe?
To be honest, it wouldn't be the first thing migrating from China to 
Europe. If you look at "Cathedral, Forge and Waterwheel" by Frances 
and Joseph Gies, they write:
"Throughout the first thirteen centuries of the Chrisitian era, 
technical innovations filtered slowly but steadily from the advanced 
East to tthe backward West." ... and apparently China was the most 
important source of borrowed technology. However there even seems to 
be exchange between China and the West as early as the Bronze Age 
(similar archaeological finds from the Shang dynasty in China and in 
the Hallstatt civilization of central Europe).
And further down:
"One agency of contact between China and the West that became a 
catalyst for the transmission of technology was silk [...]"

I think I like the idea of card weaving being first invented in China 
and then moving its way towards Central Europe - but I am no 
historian (and I am not sure on when the first TW appeared in the 
West...)

Andrea/Carolin
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Andrea C. Pfeifer
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http://www.fairyforest.org
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