As mentioned, the most archaic of them is making of mats (matting). Their antiquity is indicated in particular, by the ubiquity of the type, whereas the older the technique, the more common it is, while little-known local variants of the structures generally make later inventions.
Within the territory of Uzbekistan, mats (in fragments) were found in tombs of the 1st mill. BC. However, it is likely that the idea was brought to Central Asia by the Paleolithic period migrants, and mats could already be used by the dwellers of the Teshik-Tash Cave (40,000 – 12,000 BC).
Nowadays, in Central Asia, the mat-making technique is used to produce hard, flat, rectangular structures with finished sides and ends. Namely: floor coverings, portable walls, screens, dwelling door curtains, etc. Traditional mat-matting materials are stems of local chiy reed sedge, and twining the stems ropes. Moreover, the name of the plant is now used to designate the chiy mats.
The population of Uzbekistan and the adjacent territories traditionally produces two types of chiy mats: the non-decorated ak-chiy and the ornamented chyrmagan. Akchiy mats make an integral part of the yurt constructure. Made by wooden latticework frames, dome poles, and a dome wheel, and covered with layers of felt “clothes”, the yurt protects its dwellers both from the sand and snowstorms and from the scorching sun. The outer covers of the tent are made of felt; they also serve as its top flooring coverings. However, under the layers of felts, hide those little noticeable or completely invisible to the outside eye ashkana walls and floor mats.
You can learn more about the topic in the book-album "Carpet making of Uzbekistan: A tradition preserved through centuries" (Volume XIV) in the series "Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan in the World Collections".
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