... 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...)
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