Trade led to the discovery of papermaking from China, which spread widely and accelerated the sharing of knowledge. Science advanced in many areas, including adopting Arabic numerals from India and developing algebra with the concept of zero. Art during this period featured intricate floral designs in pottery, textiles, manuscripts and buildings. Literature was also a major achievement, with the founding of one of the world's oldest universities, Al-Azhar, to teach Arabic and preserve knowledge from various sources.