Within this dissertation, I shall be considering the technology of prehistoric to Late Roman yarn production. To understand any textile, you first need to understand the components, from which it is constructed. At the base level are the fibres that are gathered and processed and then spun to make the yarn, which eventually will be woven into a completed textile. These fibres include tree and plant basts, animal hair and more obscure varieties, such as mineral and mollusc fibres.
In the first two chapters, I shall be considering how these fibres were gathered and processed, prior to being spun. I will begin with a consideration of bast fibres and then move on to mineral and animal fibres, including both evidence from archaeological finds and textual references from ancient writers such as Pliny the Elder.
In chapter 3, I will discuss the beginnings of the evolution of yarn from its earliest phases. This includes the hand twisting of fibres to form string and cord, which was the forerunner to yarn. Hopefully, this will provide an anthropological context to the subject. The evidence for string and cord comes predominantly from archaeological finds, including pottery.
Finally, I shall consider the art of spinning, the archaeological evidence for the spinning process and its interpretation. This will include weaving or spinning bowls, distaffs and spindle whorls and evidence from pottery, art, literature and completed textiles.
This dissertation will include evidence predominantly from Europe. However, I will also consider, in part, the wider ethnographical evidence, from places such as Mesopotamia and Egypt, in order to provide an insight into the global context.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
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Chapter 1
- I
- II
- III
- VII
- 1
- 4
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4
- Conclusion
- Notes
- Glossary of terms
- Bibliography
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This dissertation explores the evolution of textile production in prehistoric and Roman Britain, examining the processes involved in gathering, preparing, and spinning plant and animal fibres to create yarn and string. It investigates the technological advancements and innovations that shaped the development of textile production over time.
- The collection and processing of plant fibres, particularly flax.
- The collection and preparation of animal hair fibres, including wool and sheep hair.
- The development and use of tools and techniques for string and yarn production.
- The evolution of spinning techniques and the development of spinning tools.
- The significance of textiles in prehistoric and Roman society.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Chapter 1 delves into the history of flax fibre use, from its collection in the wild to its preparation for spinning. It examines the different stages of processing, including retting, breaking, and hackling, and explores the evidence for these processes in archaeological contexts. This chapter provides a detailed analysis of the techniques and tools used in prehistoric and Roman times.
- Chapter 2 focuses on the processing of animal hair fibres, particularly wool and sheep hair. The chapter examines the different stages of preparation, including shearing, carding, and combing, and discusses the tools and techniques employed. It also explores the importance of animal hair in textile production and its significance in archaeological contexts.
- Chapter 3 examines the technology of string production and its progression into yarn. It discusses the various methods used to twist fibres into string and explores the development of different types of string, including cord and twine. This chapter highlights the importance of string in prehistoric and Roman societies for a variety of purposes.
- Chapter 4 explores the formation of yarn and the technology of spinning. The chapter examines the different spinning techniques employed, including spindle whorls and spinning wheels, and discusses the evolution of spinning tools. It explores the significance of yarn in textile production and its role in shaping the development of clothing and other textile artifacts.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This work focuses on the key terms and concepts of prehistoric and Roman textile production, including plant fibres, animal hair fibres, flax, wool, string, yarn, spinning, tools, technology, archaeology, and the development of textile artifacts.
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- Kay Cooper (Autor:in), 2009, The technology of Prehistoric to Late Roman yarn production, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/161886
