The sensory archaeology of textiles

Harris, S. (2019) The sensory archaeology of textiles. In: Skeates, R. and Day, J. (eds.) The Routledge Handbook of Sensory Archaeology. Routledge: Abingdon, pp. 210-232. ISBN 9781138676299

[img] Text
206003.pdf - Accepted Version

1MB

Publisher's URL: https://www.routledge.com/The-Routledge-Handbook-of-Sensory-Archaeology/Skeates-Day/p/book/9781138676299

Abstract

Textiles are sensuous; we respond to them through touch, vision and smell, movement, sound and temperature. Through sensations, textiles embody emotions of identity, and define hierarchies of power and value. Yet through the taphonomy of decay, ancient textiles are frequently devoid of their original sensory properties, they come to us as faded, fragile, dirty rags. A sensory archaeology of textiles, therefore, requires a suite of methods to reveal these sensations and a contextual analysis to interpret them within their chronological and regional archaeologies. In raising to this challenge, this chapter proposes for the first time a sensory archaeology of textiles. Through innovative case studies, the author invites the reader to recognise the implications of a sensory archaeology of textiles, and to consider the consequences for their own research fields.

Item Type:Book Sections
Status:Published
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Harris, Dr Susanna
Authors: Harris, S.
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Archaeology
Publisher:Routledge
ISBN:9781138676299
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 the author
Publisher Policy:Reproduce in accordance with the publisher copyright policy
Related URLs:

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record