Original scientific paper
Simple cloth and stamped leather: organic finds from the Avar graveyard in Nuštar (Eastern Croatia)
Karina Grömer
; Natural History Museum Vienna, Prehistoric Department, Vienna, Austrija
Anita Rapan Papeša
orcid.org/0000-0002-0041-1892
; Gradski muzej Vinkovci, Vinkovci, Hrvatska
Abstract
Organic finds are rather rare in an archaeological context, especially in moderate climate zones. Nevertheless, they form an important part of the way of life of archaeological populations and can provide information about everyday life, farming, art, trade, economy, technological development… One way of discovering organic finds, in this case textile remains, are those cases when they withstand the test of time by remaining attached to metal finds. As part of the corrosion process, metal forms corrosion products around textile fibres, thus preserving the shape of the textile. A small number of such finds – 8 – was found in 7 Late Avar Period graves at the Nuštar/Dvorac site. According to other finds from these graves, they can be dated in period between 750 and 800 AD. Metal finds with preserved textiles from Nuštar include parts of the garments of the deceased (belt buckles, hinges, and clasps) and tools (knives). Textile analyses have revealed simple textiles made of tabby with Z-spun yarns. Analyses of these textiles have identified their function as different parts of garments and as shrouds. Compared to other contemporary Avar period sites, nothing new has been noticed, but the importance of this work lies in awareness of the great value of archaeological textiles, which can be put to use in many different fields of science.
Keywords
organic finds; Avar graves; textile analysis; Nuštar; Early Middle Ages
Hrčak ID:
151721
URI
Publication date:
26.1.2016.
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