Textiles in a social context. Textile production in Europe and the Mediterranean in the 4th and 3rd millennia BCE

Description

Textiles and cloth making belonged to the essential daily activities of ancient people. The present session aims to thoroughly examine various cultural and social aspects of this crucial craft. It will focus on the later Neolithic, Copper and Early Bronze Ages in Europe and the Mediterranean. Studies of fabrics, textile and mat impressions, tools (spindle whorls, loom weights, etc.), inputs of experimental archaeology and scientific studies offer new important insights into the development of textile techniques and significance of fabrics in early prehistoric societies which will be further explored. The papers covered various aspects of textile production, such as textile implements; transfer of technologies, tools and finished products; dynamics of interactions with neighbouring and distant areas; alternations in textile production as a result of societal changes; craft specialisation; individual manufacture and organised industry; significance of textile making and use by individuals and entire communities; demand and consumption of fabrics; comprehension of the craft itself and the skills of craftsmen through experimental archaeology; the social and cultural role of prehistoric textile producers; value of implements and finished textiles.

Period	13 Sept 2014
Event type	Conference
Location	Istanbul, TurkeyShow on map