Archaeological textiles as secondary plant and animal products

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

2023

Department/School

Chemistry

Publication Title

Handbook or Archaeological Sciences (2nd Ed.)

Abstract

Textiles, though not generally well preserved in the archaeological record compared to lithics and ceramics, carry significant insight into social functions and behaviour. Archaeological textiles offer an important window into the past with all the potential complexities of human societies and their processes: technology, trade relations, wealth, group complexity, decoration preferences, likely status, etc. All materials, be they of animal or plant source, were procured from the environment, either directly or through trade. Production of textiles, just as stone tools, pottery, or even horticulture, developed in different ways in the Old World and the New World, which resulted in different timelines. Archaeologists refer to textile materials be they of fibrous or animal hair and skins of animal origin, as perishable materials. Under the right circumstances, the organic portions of the textile or fibres can be preserved by mineralization or carbonization. Most plant fibres require some preparation after they are collected.

Comments

R. A. Armitage is a faculty member in EMU's Department of Chemistry.

Link to Full Text

EMU Library Accessibility Request

Share

COinS