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Carpets have existed for centuries, the earliest known Persian carpet found was the Pazyryk rug, which was discovered in 1949 during evacuations of burial sites in the Altai mountains in Siberia. The Pazyryk carpet has a woolen pile with about 200 knots per square inch. Its central field is a deep red color and it has two wide borders, one depicting deer and the other Persian horseman. It dates from the fifth century BC and is now kept in the Hermitage Museum of Leningrad. The great period of creativity in carpet making took place in Persia during the Safavid period (1499-1722) under the reigns of Shah Ismail and Shah Abbas. From this period came the most glorious and outstanding rugs of historical significance. In fact, about 1,500 examples from this period are preserved in various museums and in private collections. The cities of Tabriz, Kashan, Herat, and Kerman became busy centers of rug production. Under the rule of Shah Abbas in the late 16th Century, the famous Ardebil carpet was made. Today this priceless work of art is preserved in the Victoria and Albert museum in London. The Ardebil is regarded as one of the most magnificent rugs of the world. It is approximately 17 by 34 feet with over 280 knots per square inch.