The art of prehistoric textile making

Viac o knihe

Traditional textile crafts like spinning, weaving, and sewing have been integral to human life since the Stone Age, once consuming a significant portion of daily labor alongside food acquisition. Weaving, in particular, has played a crucial role in technological advancement, with the invention of looms in the Neolithic marking the emergence of the first human 'machines.' These crafts produced essential items for daily use, including clothing and utilitarian textiles, as well as luxury goods. The value of textiles is evident in the recycling of fabrics; worn garments were repurposed for various uses, including binders and dressing materials. Beyond protection from the elements, textiles and jewelry have historically served as vital cultural symbols. Clothing functions as a powerful non-verbal communication tool, conveying identity markers such as age, gender, social status, and group affiliations. This work is aimed at historians, costume designers, archaeologists, and those interested in handcraft and artisanship, focusing on the Neolithic to Late Iron Age of Central Europe, a period predating written records, concluding with the Roman occupation. It emphasizes findings from Austria and neighboring countries.