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When were silkworms domesticated in China?

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Domesticated yaks carrying supplies in colorful bundles walk along a rocky mountain trail toward Everest Base Camp, with snow-covered peaks in the background in Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal. — Domestication Domesticated yaks (*Bos grunniens*) carrying supplies to an Everest base camp in Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu region, Nepal.

The domestication of the silkworm (Bombyx mori) in China is an ancient practice, with historical records indicating that silk production existed there by at least the middle of the 3rd millennium BCE.1

While the exact origins are often intertwined with legend—such as the story of the wife of the mythological Yellow Emperor, Huangdi, teaching the art to the people—sericulture became a vital component of the Chinese rural economy during this early period. The process involves raising silkworms on mulberry leaves until they spin cocoons, which are then processed to extract the continuous fiber used for weaving.123

Over time, this industry became highly sophisticated, with archaeological finds from the Shang dynasty and subsequent centuries providing evidence of advanced weaving techniques like damask, brocade, and embroidery. The domesticated silkworm has since become entirely dependent on human care, as the species is no longer found in the wild.13