Handmade carpets; Persian or Turkish?
- aliyalniz
- Jan 28
- 3 min read
Carpet culture holds a deep and significant place in the history and heritage of the Turkish nation. For centuries, Turkish carpets have been celebrated not just as functional household items but as intricate works of art that reflect the identity, values, and traditions of the Turkish people.
The origins of Turkish carpet weaving date back to the nomadic lifestyle of Central Asian Turks, where the need for durable and portable furnishings led to the creation of intricately woven carpets. Over time, this craft evolved into a sophisticated art form, with patterns, motifs, and techniques passed down through generations.
Pazirik
The Pazyryk carpet is one of the most famous and historically significant examples of ancient textile art. It's a woolen carpet that dates back to the 5th century BCE and was discovered in 1949 in the Pazyryk Valley, located in the Altai Mountains in Siberia, Russia. The carpet was found in a burial mound, which suggests it was a luxury item, possibly used by a noble or royal person.
Pazirik carpet itself is particularly famous for its intricate design and remarkable preservation, given its age. It's often considered one of the oldest surviving examples of pile weaving, a technique where the carpet’s fibers are tied into the base to create a plush surface.
Key features of the Pazirik carpet:
Design and Craftsmanship: The carpet features a complex and symmetrical design, including motifs of animals, geometric patterns, and stylized plants, reflecting the nomadic culture of the region at that time.
Size and Material: It measures about 183 cm by 200 cm and was made of wool. The dyeing techniques used for its colors were advanced for the time, with the use of plant-based dyes.
Cultural Significance: The carpet is believed to have been woven by the Scythians or other nomadic tribes in the region, and it reflects their artistic traditions and the high skill level in weaving. It also provides valuable insights into the cultural practices and artistic conventions of ancient Eurasian peoples.
The Pazyryk carpet is considered an important archaeological and artistic find, giving historians and archaeologists a glimpse into the past techniques of textile production, as well as the cultural exchanges across Eurasian nomadic tribes. It's now housed in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Is Pazirik Persian or Turkish ?
The Pazyryk carpet is often debated in terms of its cultural origins; Turkish or Persian. However it's generally considered specifically Turkish because it was found in Siberia, in the Altai Mountains, and is believed to have been made by the nomadic Scythians or a related people living in the region around the 5th century BCE. These tribes were part of the larger Turkic nomadic groups, so the carpet reflects a broader steppe culture of the Turks.
Who are Scythians?
The Scythians were a group of ancient nomadic tribes who lived in the Eurasian steppes, roughly between 900 BCE and 200 BCE. They are most famously known for their skills as horse riders, warriors, and their distinctive culture that spanned across areas of modern-day Ukraine, southern Russia, Kazakhstan, and parts of Central Asia. The Scythians played a significant role in the ancient world, especially in the context of their interactions with other powerful civilizations such as the Persians, Greeks, and Assyrians.
Are Scyhtians related to Turks?
The Scythians, part of the larger group of nomadic peoples from the Eurasian steppes, are considered related to the Turks in a broader historical and ethnolinguistic sense. As skilled horse riders and warriors, their way of life, including military tactics and pastoralism, laid the foundation for later nomadic cultures, particularly Turkic-speaking tribes like the Huns and Göktürks, who inherited many cultural traits from the Scythians. While not directly the same, the Scythians are seen as key precursors to Turkic peoples, helping shape the traditions and heritage that would influence later Turkic empires.
The Pazyryk region is located in today's Altai Mountains of Russia and was once part of the lands inhabited by the Scythians. This area was quite far from the borders of the Persian Empire, about 3000 km away. The Scythians were a people who occupied a large region in Central Asia and the northern Black Sea area during that time. Therefore, the Pazyryk carpet and other findings reflect the cultural and artistic heritage of the Scythians, and it is difficult to establish a direct connection with the Persians. However, it is important to remember that there were trade and interactions between different cultures during that period.
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