Have you ever wondered when and from where carpets originated. No, probably not! But if you are interested, here’s a bit of an insight:
Rug fragments from the 7th century BC have been unearthed near Ankara, the capital of Turkey. In 1949, archaeologists found a well-preserved flocked rug in a tomb built in the 5th century BC in the Altai Mountains. Another rug that has been discovered in the Siberian mountains dates back to 5BC. It is known as the Pazyryk carpet.
The nomadic tribes of Bedouins used to have carpet and rugs in their tents which were often made from materials readily available such as goat and sheep wool. These rugs were usually square or rectangular and were often used as room dividers, shading or canopies, rather than for floor coverings. Carpets were first developed in ancient Persia. The earliest carpets were made from rushes or plants that grew along the banks of rivers which were woven together to create a floorcovering. The carpeting as we know it was introduced to Europe in the Middle Ages. The term carpet comes from the Latin word ‘carpita’.
You’re probably wondering what possible use could this all be to you. You might just thank me for that extra point that won you the pub quiz.