Textiles from the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age in the Vistula and Oder River Basin – Poland

Abstract

This article presents all archaeologically identified finds of the textile evidence dating to the Late Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age from Poland. They have been subjected to qualitative and technological analysis. The identified collection has been divided into individual groups of finds/artefacts to discuss their internal differentiation and to capture the characteristics of changes. The amount of collected evidence allowed for a comparative analysis with the evidence from the neighbouring regions and an assessment of the level of weaving skills. The material shows that there was the leap in technological and qualitative progress occurring in the Early Iron Age, also affecting Poland. This is apparent mainly in the southwestern regions of the country, through a significant increase in the number of medium and good-quality woven products and a clear diversification of textile production. Nevertheless, this level is still significantly lower than that which can be observed in the evidence from the Mediterranean, Austria, Southern Germany or Denmark.

Keywords

• textile
• weaving production
• Late Bronze Age
• Early Iron Age
• Poland