Study on the Origin of Textile Technology in Ancient China

Abstract:

Some researchers use the drawing about primitive hunting with stone balls in order to explain the origin of textile technology in ancient China. However, the description in the drawing is inconsistent with the historical facts and lead to a wrong conclusion drawn by the researchers. We aimed to explain objectively the origin of the textile technology in ancient China. We have had some queries for the authenticity of the drawing after we made some archaeological and folk-custom investigations on the application of primitive stone balls. It is concluded that the origin of spinning in ancient China dated back to the upper Palaeolithic period and was an indispensable link of human evolution from ape man to human, but the origin of weaving in ancient China dated back to the Neolithic period. Only when the primitive farming became the main production department and the explosion of population required the substitute of clothes made of hide, did the spinning, weaving and textile design merged together and finally resulted in the formation of the textile technology system.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 332-334)
• Pages: 2045-2049
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.332-334.2045
• Online since: September 2011
• Authors: Qiang Li, Bin Li
• Keywords: Neolithic Period, Origin, Paleolithic Period, Stone Balls, Textile Technology

References

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[2] S.R.Du: A History of Science and Technology in China(In Chinese), (Science Press, China 1984).

[3] S.L. Zhang, H.Y. Gao: Cultural Relics of Central China Vol.3 (1999), p.11(In Chinese)