Evidence of Chinese silk production from 8500 years ago

Evidence obtained from three 8,500-year-old tombs in Henan Province, China shows that ancient people used silk thousands of years ago.

A study published in the journal Plos One on December 12 concluded that ancient people could use silk from 8,500 years ago, earlier than the previous 5,000-year judgment, according to Live Science.

The secret to making silk was first found in China. According to the legend of this country, the wife of Hien Vien emperor, reigned from 2698-2599 BC, dropped cocoons in the cup of tea. She then discovered that the cocoon could be drawn into fibers about a kilometer long.

The 8,500-year-old tomb bears evidence of the use of silk by ancient people.(Photo: Plos One).

Recent scientists decided to study 9,000-year-old ruins in Jiahu relic , Henan province, China to learn more about the origin of silk.

"The fairy tale tells that silkworm breeding and silk weaving started around this area," said Decai Gong, an archaeologist at China University of Science and Technology, co-author of the study.

Many previous studies also identified the warm and humid climate in Imitation Ho suitable for the development of mulberry trees. Its leaves are the main food source for silkworms.

Results of soil sample analysis from three 8,500-year-old graves here show signs of silk protein in the grave."This is the oldest evidence of the emergence of silk in ancient China," Gong answered Live Science.

The team thinks that the owner of the tomb can be buried with silk clothes. In addition, they also found many needles made from bone and textile tools in the area. According to Mr. Gong, this is evidence of basic textile skills of people in Jiahu.