1st–2nd century CEReputable sourceWell documented
Paper and the Spread of Writing
On the timeline · around 1st–2nd century CE ·
What happened
Writing needed a good surface — clay, stone, papyrus, or parchment all had drawbacks. Around the 2nd century CE, the Chinese perfected paper, a cheap and versatile writing material made from plant fibers. Over the following centuries paper-making spread west along the Silk Road, reaching the Islamic world and finally Europe.
Why it matters
Paper made writing far cheaper and more portable, allowing books, records, and letters to multiply. Its spread across Eurasia was a quiet revolution that laid the groundwork for the explosion of the written word to come.
Sources
- World History Encyclopedia. Paper in Ancient China · Reputable source
Related timelines
- The Silk Road → — Paper-making spread west along the Silk Road