Rethinking Iron Age Loom Weights in the Netherlands
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Rethinking Iron Age loom weights in the Netherlands An assessment of context, function and shape Daphne van der Linden 1 Rethinking Iron Age loom weights in the Netherlands An assessment of context, function and shape Daphne van der Linden, s0908568 Supervisor: Prof. Dr. H. Fokkens Prehistory of North-Western Europe Leiden University, Faculty of Archaeology Leiden, 13-06-2017 2 Table of Contents 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 5 1.1 Problem Orientation ............................................................................................ 5 1.1.1 Broader Significance .................................................................................... 6 1.2 Aims and Research Questions ............................................................................. 6 1.3 Theoretical Framework ....................................................................................... 7 1.4 Methodology and Theories ................................................................................. 8 1.5 Outline ................................................................................................................. 8 2 Textile production in Archaeology ............................................................................... 9 2.1 Textile Requirements ........................................................................................... 9 2.2 Obtaining the Fibres .......................................................................................... 10 2.2.1 The Composition of the Flock .................................................................... 12 2.3 Spinning ............................................................................................................. 13 2.3.1 Spindle Whorls ........................................................................................... 14 2.4 Weaving ............................................................................................................. 15 2.4.1 The Warp-Weighted Loom ........................................................................ 16 2.4.2 Loom Weights ............................................................................................ 17 2.5 Evidence for Textile Production ......................................................................... 18 3 Previous Research ..................................................................................................... 20 3.1 Research History ................................................................................................ 20 3.2 Experimental Archaeology ................................................................................. 26 3.3 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 27 4 Context - Iron Age Loom Weights in the Netherlands ............................................... 28 4.1 My Hypothesis ................................................................................................... 28 4.2 Case Study Voorne-Putten................................................................................. 29 4.2.1 Abbenbroek-Bern 17-22 ............................................................................ 30 4.2.2 Bernisse 10-172 ......................................................................................... 30 4.2.3 Rockanje .................................................................................................... 32 4.2.3.1 Rockanje 08-06 ...................................................................................... 33 4.2.3.2 Rockanje 08-52 ...................................................................................... 34 4.2.3.3 Rockanje 08-53 ...................................................................................... 37 4.2.3.4 Rockanje 08-54 ...................................................................................... 38 4.2.4 Spijkenisse 18-30 ....................................................................................... 38 4.2.5 Spijkenisse 18-50 ....................................................................................... 39 3 4.2.6 Concluding Remarks Voorne-Putten ......................................................... 41 4.3 Case Study Oss ................................................................................................... 43 4.3.1 Oss-Schalkskamp ....................................................................................... 44 4.3.2 Oss-Horzak ................................................................................................. 44 4.3.3 Concluding remarks Oss ............................................................................ 46 4.4 Other Examples Known From Literature ........................................................... 47 4.4.1 Valkenburg, Limburg.................................................................................. 47 4.4.2 Cannerberg, Limburg ................................................................................. 48 4.4.3 Udenhout, Brabant .................................................................................... 49 4.4.4 Twello, Gelderland ..................................................................................... 50 4.4.5 Wijnbergen, municipality Doetinchem, Gelderland .................................. 52 4.5 Experimental Archaeology on the Context ........................................................ 53 4.6 Concluding Remarks on the Context ................................................................. 55 5 Function - The Characteristics of a Loom Weight ...................................................... 56 5.1 Determining the Characteristics ........................................................................ 56 5.2 The Weight ........................................................................................................ 57 5.3 The Thickness .................................................................................................... 59 5.3.1 Experimental Archaeology ......................................................................... 60 5.4 The Perforations ................................................................................................ 61 5.5 The Shape .......................................................................................................... 65 5.6 Concluding Remarks on the Function ................................................................ 66 6 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 68 7 Abstract ..................................................................................................................... 75 8 Bibliography ............................................................................................................... 75 List of Figures, Tables and Appendices .............................................................................. 88 4 1 Introduction There is much discussion on the archaeological evidence of textile production in (Dutch) prehistory. This is mainly due to the fact that prehistoric textile remains are poorly visible in Dutch archaeology, since perishable textiles are often not preserved in our acidic soils. Therefore, we only have access to more indirect evidence for textile production, from textile tools like spindle whorls and loom weights. Participating in an excavation of a Linearbandkeramik settlement in the summer of 2013, we encountered several Iron Age and Roman features in the same area. The first day of my participation, a large but shallow Iron Age pit was excavated. In this feature, a row of 15 Early Iron Age conical loom weights was discovered. This was the first time I was implicated in the discussion of the function of (triangular) loom weights. This intrigued me and made me decide to dedicate my MA thesis on this controversy and give a thorough explanation on the function of so called loom weights. 1.1 Problem Orientation Loom weights have been found all over the world and there are clear regional distinctions in shape and size, but a few types like conical weights seem to be used repeatedly in most regions. In the European Iron Age, a new type of loom weight is introduced with a flat triangular shape and perforations through the corners and regularly through the centre of the weight. The introduction of this new type of weight is reason for a big discussion. Most archaeologists do agree with a function as loom weight, since this type of weight seems to replace the Bronze Age conical or pyramidal type of weight, but there are also archaeologists that are more hesitant and argue that a function as net sinker or spanner for hides would be more credible for these objects. The problem with currently available literature on (triangular) loom weights is that it is very limited and often dated. Meanwhile, this literature is repeatedly re-used and copied in recent articles and books without the authors giving a more critical look on the discussion that exists behind this category of objects. Therefore, my aim for this research is to give a fresh look on the object category of Iron Age triangular loom weights as we know them now. A combination of literature and material study should give new insights on the functional aspects, development and distribution of loom weights during the Iron Age in the Netherlands. 5 1.1.1 Broader Significance Loom weights were used to keep