<P> Silk cultivation spread to Japan around 300 AD , and , by 522 AD , the Byzantines managed to obtain silkworm eggs and were able to begin silkworm cultivation . The Arabs also began to manufacture silk during this same time . As a result of the spread of sericulture , Chinese silk exports became less important , although they still maintained dominance over the luxury silk market . The Crusades brought silk production to Western Europe , in particular to many Italian states , which saw an economic boom exporting silk to the rest of Europe . Changes in manufacturing techniques also began to take place during the Middle Ages , with devices such as the spinning wheel first appearing . During the 16th century France joined Italy in developing a successful silk trade , though the efforts of most other nations to develop a silk industry of their own were unsuccessful . </P>
<P> Silk cultivation spread to Japan around 300 AD , and , by 522 AD , the Byzantines managed to obtain silkworm eggs and were able to begin silkworm cultivation . The Arabs also began to manufacture silk during this same time . As a result of the spread of sericulture , Chinese silk exports became less important , although they still maintained dominance over the luxury silk market . The Crusades brought silk production to Western Europe , in particular to many Italian states , which saw an economic boom exporting silk to the rest of Europe . Changes in manufacturing techniques also began to take place during the Middle Ages , with devices such as the spinning wheel first appearing . During the 16th century France joined Italy in developing a successful silk trade , though the efforts of most other nations to develop a silk industry of their own were unsuccessful . </P>
how did the silkworms that were first used in europe end up there
how did the silkworms that were first used in europe end up there
The Crusades
The Crusades