Weaving techniques and social aspects in Iron Age settlements of southern Italy (9th-8th centuries BCE)

Abstract

During the last decade, there has been an increasing interest in the knowledge of ancient textile production in the South of Italy. The study of textile tools and their uses in the different stages of textile manufacture, as well as of the fabrics themselves has led to a deeper understanding of the production processes involved. This paper will focus on three aspects of textile production in the Iron Age: the social meaning of decorations on loom weights; evidence of a change of technology in textile production due to the interaction among populations; the level of knowledge and skills of craftspeople through the analysis of fabrics.