Textil production during Bronze Age in Eastern and Southeastern Iberian Peninsula: raw materials, products, tools and work processes

Abstract

In this paper, we try to assess the importance of textile production in the societies of the Bronze Age in the Eastern Iberian Peninsula. We have tried to characterize each of the crafts, weaving textiles, cordage and basketry, mainly. We have made a thorough inventory of the published archaeological evidence related to textile production. It has paid particular interest to those that allow us to infer how far this was an activity subject to social control. It has critically evaluated the archaeological evidence and the contextual information associated with it. We conclude that, as a whole and in space and time considered, some textile production processes –like cordage and basketry– were clearly developed in a household field, compared to others, such as manufacture of fabrics and dresses, on which apparently it was exerted more control in their production and distribution.

Keywords

• artesanía, sistemas de producción y distribución
• levante peninsular
• el argar
• bronce valenciano