Ancient Carpet Fragment, 3rd - 6th century. a similar fragment from perhaps the same rug is in the Al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait along with other related early knotted pile carpet fragments. It is described by Friedrich Spuhler in his book on this material titled, "Pre-Islamic Carpets and Textiles from Eastern Lands (Al-Sabah Collection)" as being from "Eastern Iran" and from the "Sasanian Period". Provenance is given as "reportedly Samgan Province, northern Afghanistan". However, the only conclusive excavation spot for this distinctive material that i know of is Loulan in Xinjiang. While the dating for this material is likely correct, a "Sasanian" description is thus less certain.