History · 2
Which ancient civilization is credited with inventing paper?
Answer
Chinese
The Chinese invented paper during the Han Dynasty around the 1st century CE, using plant fibers like hemp and mulberry bark as raw materials. Before paper's invention, the Chinese used bamboo slips and silk for writing, both of which were expensive and cumbersome. Paper revolutionized writing and knowledge transmission, becoming so important to Chinese civilization that papermaking was initially kept a closely guarded state secret.
💡 Did you know?
Paper technology spread westward through the Islamic world, reaching the Middle East by the 8th century and Europe during the Middle Ages.
Other options people guess
- Egyptians
- Greeks
- Indians
Topics
- china
- inventions
- ancient-civilizations
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