Turkish rugs and Turkish carpets

It is thought that the art of rug weaving is thought to have orignated in the Neolithic age, about 7000 BC in central Asia. Nomadic tribes would have brought the craft into Turkey. The earliest type of rug produced was the flatweave; piled or knotted rugs appeared as a later development.

The ancient Turkish nomadic tribes such as the Uyghurs, Seljuks and Ottomans would take their flocks of sheep, cattle and goats to high ground for the richer pasture during the summer and return to sea level for the winter months. Flatwoven items were used for tent dors, sacks for food, clothing and bedding as well as floor coverings. This tradition still survives today, although in very small numbers as most have now settled in permanent villages.

For more information, see our glossary entries under Turkish rugs. and Persian rugs.
The complete list of glossary items can be found in our Keyword Search facility.