[All of our pictures enlarge; click on any picture for a closer look. Text & images protected by copyright.] Discovered in 1947, the Pazyryk Rug was found in a burial mound dating from the 5th Century B. C.—about 2,500 years ago! We have meticulously created this distinctive MouseRug pattern from photo images of the Pazyryk, to produce a pattern and colors from images of the world's oldest discovered rug. Originally constructed of 200 knots per square inch, the Pazyryk Rug is similar to later oriental rugs with the classic central field and surrounding decorative borders with images. Geometric and floral design elements along with a procession of horses are featured in this amazingly well-preserved ancient rug. This Pazyryk inspired MouseRug is beautifully reproduced with earthy red colors, shades of moss green and highlights of gold. The principle reason we have this rug today is because it was preserved frozen in ice for thousands of years. Mongolians are credited with weaving the first pile rugs, which were later refined by the Persians. The precise origin of the Pazyryk Rug is unknown.