From the parochial to the universal: comparing cloth cultures in the Bronze Age.

Harris, S. (2012) From the parochial to the universal: comparing cloth cultures in the Bronze Age. European Journal of Archaeology, 15(1), pp. 61-97. (doi: 10.1179/1461957112Y.0000000006)

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Abstract

The aim of this research is to compare the cloth cultures of Europe and Egypt in the Bronze Age and New Kingdom. The comparison focuses on the fourteenth century cal BC and includes four geographically separate areas, including the oak coffin burials of southern Scandinavia, the Hallstatt salt mines of central Europe, Late Minoan Crete, and the tombs and towns of the later Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt. The comparative approach can bring insights even when applied to unconnected cultures or regions. However, in this study I concentrate on a restricted chronological period and areas that were connected, directly or indirectly, by widespread networks of trade or exchange. The concept of cloth cultures is used to include both textiles and animal skins as these were closely related materials in the prehistoric past. Information was gathered according to the following categories: raw materials, including textile fibre, and species of skins; fabric structure and thread count (only for textiles); decoration and finish; and use and context. From this study, it is possible to recognize the universally shared principles of cloth cultures and the great versatility and creativity in the regional cloth cultures of the Bronze Age.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Archaeology, Bronze Age, textile, leather, animal skin, clothing, cloth, basketry, prehistory, Europe.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Harris, Dr Susanna
Authors: Harris, S.
Subjects:C Auxiliary Sciences of History > CC Archaeology
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Archaeology
Journal Name:European Journal of Archaeology
Publisher:Taylor & Francis
ISSN:1461-9571
ISSN (Online):1741-2722
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2012 European Association of Archaeologists
First Published:First published in European Journal of Archaeology 15(1): 61-97
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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