The influence of ancient textile production on trade networks

The spinning wheel, adopted in India, increased cotton and wool thread production, boosting trade, per *Archaeological Institute of America*.

Inca textiles, made from alpaca and llama wool, were used as currency and tribute, strengthening regional trade, per *Textile Research Centre*.

Athens exported wool textiles, dyed and woven, to Black Sea colonies, per *Metropolitan Museum of Art*.

Textile trade, especially wool, created wealth and urban growth in cities like Ur, per *World History Encyclopedia*.

The Maya used cochineal-dyed cotton for trade, valued for its vibrant red, per *Archaeological Institute of America*.

Linen, made from flax, was prized for its breathability and exported across the Mediterranean, per *Textile Research Centre*.

Silk, a Chinese monopoly until ~200 CE, drove demand in Rome, creating trade imbalances, per *World History Encyclopedia*.

Phoenician purple dye, from Tyre, was highly valued, traded across the Mediterranean, per *Metropolitan Museum of Art*.

Cotton, cultivated in the Indus Valley, was traded for its durability and dyeability, per *Archaeological Institute of America*.

The Silk Road, named for silk from China, facilitated trade across Asia and Europe, per *World History Encyclopedia*.