Tartan not a uniquely Scottish device

[GlassMan]

Actually there is strong archeological evidence of a migration of individuals who most have called Celtic by the nature of their associated items and art styles who migrated out of Europe, across the steppes of Russia and wound up being unearthed in what is now Western China! Among the items that they brought with them were garments woven in tartan patterns during the iron age.

And before anyone jumps to the wrong conclusion, I am not claiming that there was any kind of official tartan system at that time. But it is very well established that the idea of weaving cloth in multiple colors in what we now call a tartan pattern was common among the Continental Celts as far back as the Iron Age. The tartan wool excavated with these tall, european settlers in China is immediately recognizable to modern eyes as a tartan. They also had in their possession items of obvious chinese manufacture so they also traded with their new neighbors. So it is not surprising to see items of tartan pattern in some East Asian traditional cultures consider that some Celts made that long journey over 2000 years ago.

[pdcorlis]

Many thanks to Scott, Cajunscot, and Matt... is this a great place or what?