Aleppo: Sheep Wool Producers

Date: c. 1840

Sir John Bowring (d. 1872) found that Aleppo and its surrounding areas produced about 1,500 qinṭārs of sheep wool (1 Syrian qinṭār = 256.4 kg). In Aleppo this was made into ketzges, a felt cloth used for floor coverings, horse coverings, and the packing for goods. The wool was also manufactured into yarn for stockings and surtouts (overcoats for men). Wool was also exported to French and Italian markets. See also: Maker of Felt Floor Coverings.

Citation: Bowring, John. Report on the Commercial Statistics of Syria (London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1840. Reprinted: New York: Arno Press, 1973), p. 15.