Silk and Silkworm: (Re)discussion on the Origin and Early History of Using Silk Fibres

Xiyao Zhang and Xiaoming Yang

Asian Social Science, 2024, vol. 20, issue 6, 1

Abstract: Discussions on the origin of silk utilisation usually focus on the origin of discovering filaments, ignoring the existence and availability of short fibres. Among these studies, some arguments with evidence of silkworms have inserted a preconception that silkworm rearing is certainly related to silk utilisation, ignoring the possibility that human ancestors might have reared silkworms for other reasons before they knew how to use silk fibres. Considering the difficulties in obtaining raw materials, the complexity of the production processes, and archaeological evidence for the early use of silk, it seems probable that silk was utilised first in the form of short fibres and these fibres were processed with the spinning technique. By analysing the relationship between silk reeling and weaving, silk reeling was invented to answer the growing demands of the weaving industry. By analysing the relationship between silk utilisation and silkworm rearing, silkworm domestication was motivated and prompted by the growing demand from silk reeling workshops. Silk reeling appeared after the birth of weaving and before the activity of rearing silkworms. Combined with the scientific study results of the silkworm taming and domestication time, silk fibres were discovered and used before 7000 BP.

Date: 2024
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