Sailing Textiles from Prehistory to Early History: Exploring the Significance of Textiles and Fibres in Seafaring

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This book originates from an international conference that took place in Gothenburg, Sweden in April 2024. It brings together researchers from all over Europe working with the production and use of sails, maritime textiles, rigging, ropes, and clothing for seafaring as we know them from a different array of archaeological, historical, and textual evidence. Maritime textiles are seldom the focus of dedicated events; additionally, much research is normally carried out at museum institutions working with reconstruction of ancient vessels and not further discussed in academic settings. The meeting was designed to promote room for discussion and contribute to the formulation of new strategies and approaches for future research and this volume presents both case studies and wider discussions exploring four key themes: sails and sail production from the Bronze Age to the 18th century; boat technology and the significance of ropes and rigging; dressing for the sea; and the contribution of archaeozoology and archaeobotany for our understanding of prehistoric maritime textile production. The geographical coverage is Scandinavia to the Mediterranean and contributors address the themes using a variety of source materials based on archaeological, classical literature, documentary, and experimental research.

Such a collection of papers is the first of its kind. Research about sails, sailcloths, ropes, and rigging is extensive, but dealt with at various levels and often by researchers working in museums; the interest that the conference in Gothenburg received is a good indicator of the need for dedicated fora on the topic and this book should become a milestone in this respect.

AUTHOR:
Serena Sabatini is Associate Professor of Archaeology at the University of Gothenburg and a scholar of European and Mediterranean Bronze Age and Early Iron Age Studies. Her research focuses on the study of production and long-distance trade and exchange of metal, wool, and textiles; she is also extensively working with mobility and aDNA of both humans and animals. Through the years she has been working in various ways with burial practices, issues of social complexity, identity, and the study of the early urban phenomenon in southern Europe through an interdisciplinary perspective.

ISBN: 9798888572047
Author: SABATINI, SERENA
Format: Paperback
Publication date: 01/06/2026
RRP: $130.00
Pages: 192
Dimension: 280mm X 216mm
Imprint: Oxbow Books