An Early 13th Century Craft Box from Lõhavere in Estonia and Its Owner
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23858/FAH31.2018.011Keywords:
craft, craft specialisation, textiles, spiral tube decorations, 13th century, cross crafting, Estonia, Lõhavere hillfortAbstract
A birch bark box was unearthed in 1958 in the Lõhavere hillfort (Estonia). The main aim of the paper is to get closer to the initial owner of the box. The relatively well-preserved box contained jewellery, textile remains, and objects related to craft (e.g. textile tools, yarns). Special attention in the article is paid to the finds indicating production of spiral tube decorations, which were used to adorn clothing items. The authors argue that the owner was a more or less professional craftsperson living in the hillfort. Archaeologists tend to divide craft activities according to the raw materials, but the box content shows how in reality various skills, raw materials, and knowledge were needed in combination. It seems that the owner was mainly occupied with making narrow wares and clothing adornments. Possibly the owner was female, which stresses the role of female actors in the sphere of professional craft.
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