The East had a monopoly on this material until the 6th century, when 2 monks smuggled out some worms
But no secret could be kept in the sixth century in Constantinople, even in an 
imperial... [DOC] [TLE] Anelli - Entomological Society of America [PAR] the 6th century, Byzantium became a leader in sericulture after silk- worm eggs 
were smuggled out of China by two monks (Cherry 1987,.