Silk: Ancient Wealth
Value and Rarity
In ancient China, silk was not just a precious fabric — it was so valuable that it served as a form of currency.
Soldiers, officials, and merchants were often paid with rolls of silk, which represented wealth and prestige.
Trade and Cultural Influence
Silk became the driving force of the Silk Road, connecting China to Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
The high demand for silk made it a symbol of power and sophistication across various cultures.
Production and Secrecy
Producing silk was labor-intensive and secretive: China protected the method of raising silkworms for centuries.
Each thread had to be carefully extracted from the cocoon and woven by hand, making silk expensive and exclusive.
Silk proves that a material can have economic, social, and cultural impact far beyond its beauty.
It transformed trade, fashion, and even geopolitics, showing how fabrics can shape history.
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