Paper was invented in the year 200 AD in China. By 400 AD it became more easily available and artists began to cut designs, using scissors or very sharp knives. At various periods, mass production of paper cutting was done by stamping machines. In the sixth century, the Maya of Central America produced paper from the bark of fig trees and cut patterns. Papercutting spread to Japan and in the 8th or 9th century appeared in West Asia.