Abstract: Textiles are a rare but extremely valuable category of finds among the archaeological materials of ancient and medieval nomads in Eurasia, allowing us to obtain the information about the content and directions of cultural exchanges, economic and technological development, and the traits of spiritual culture. Among the finds obtained during excavations of the burials of Xiongnu elites, there are various types of fabrics and textiles, including Han silk and Western woolen fabrics. Silk was mainly used to decorate coffins or walls of tomb chambers, sew clothes (robes, vests, trousers, etc.), make various small bags or pouches, edge and cover felt carpets. The origin and use of the woolen fabrics found in Xiongnu tombs are more difficult to determine. Among them there are clothes: trousers, fragments of embroidered caftans, etc. But the most informative find is the embroidered curtains that decorated the walls of the burial chambers. Their themes include scenes of wars, feasts, rituals, etc. The characters are of the European type (not representing the majority of the Xiongnu population, but possibly corresponding to a small group within the Xiongnu nobility). In the culture of the Xiongnu elites, imported fabrics are not only a symbol of power and wealth, but also a carrier of cultural information.

Cite: Полосьмак Н.В. , Кудинова М.А.
The Significance of Imported Textiles in Nomadic Cultures (the case of the Xiongnu elites)
International Symposium "Knowledge Sharing and Art Exchange in Medieval Eurasia" 11-13 окт. 2025