14606
Author
Ryder, M.L.
Title Of Article Chaper
A re-assessment of bronze age wool
Title Of Journal Book
Journal of archaeological science
Volume
10
Issue
4
Pages
327-331
Language Of Text
English
Literature Type
Serial
Literature Level
Analytic
Abstract
Measurements of twelve new samples of Danish Bronze Age wool showed them to be hairy medium fleeces. Supporting evidence was obtained that a high proportion of fine fibers in a yarn results from the plucking of wool during the moult before the hairy fibers have been released from the skin. The fine fibers were closer in diameter to the underwool of the wild ancestor than to those of the Soay sheep (supposedly a Bronze Age survivor), indicating a more primitive fleece. The samples described include the first white Bronze Age wool. Those with natural pigmentation in every fiber could be black or brown, while those with pigmented and white fibers are thought to be a mixture of brown and white (by analogy with the Soay) rather than grey, which is unknown in the Soay.
Keywords
Textile, wool; textile, history; textile, analysis identification fibre; textile, analysis examination; ICCROM
pub_id
14606