The art of weaving dates back to around 5,000 BC, during the Paleolithic Era, in Egypt and Meospotamia. Flax was first used, but wool became more common around 2,000 BC. Linen wrappings were even used to preserve mummies, as seen by Pharaoh Ramses II, whose preservations left him nearly perfectly intact after being buried 3,000 years earlier.The art of looming, and otherwise linen weaving was brought to Ireland much later by Phoneician traders.