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Weaving and plaiting

As in practically all of the terramare, at Montale no evidence has come to light pointing to spinning of yarn and thread, and no fragments of cloth have been found. Such finds are generally quite rare since they can be conserved only in particular environmental conditions. However, many objects connected with weaving (spools, loom weights etc.) have been uncovered in excavations, suggesting that the inhabitants of the terramare produced spun thread and woven cloth in abundance.
The terracotta weights were used on upright wooden looms to ensure tension – essential in the weaving process –, which was obtained by attaching weights to the lower end of the threads. Bronze Age communities in Europe made overwhelming use of linen, wool and hemp thread in their textiles. The terracotta weights were used on upright wooden looms to ensure tension – essential in the weaving process –, which was obtained by attaching weights to the lower end of the threads. Bronze Age communities in Europe made overwhelming use of linen, wool and hemp thread in their textiles.
The loom was formed of two side spars joined by cross spars and was fixed, slightly inclined, to a wall or a beam in the house. It could be up to two metres wide. At Montale, two looms have been reproduced 120 cm and 160 cm wide respectively. The loom was formed of two side spars joined by cross spars and was fixed, slightly inclined, to a wall or a beam in the house. It could be up to two metres wide. At Montale, two looms have been reproduced 120 cm and 160 cm wide respectively.
The larger of the looms has been set up for weaving linen (flax). It comprises 650 threads held by 32 weights. The larger of the looms has been set up for weaving linen (flax). It comprises 650 threads held by 32 weights.
The smaller loom has been set up for weaving wool. It comprises 360 threads held by 12 weights. The smaller loom has been set up for weaving wool. It comprises 360 threads held by 12 weights.
Before weaving can commence, the heddle needs to be set up. Before weaving can commence, the heddle needs to be set up.
In a loom using weights, the cloth is woven from the bottom up using wooden spatulas. In a loom using weights, the cloth is woven from the bottom up using wooden spatulas.
To compact the weft, small combs made of bone or horn are used. To compact the weft, small combs made of bone or horn are used.
For dyeing, plants have been used which are thought to have been present in the natural habitat of the terramare: red is obtained from madder roots. For dyeing, plants have been used which are thought to have been present in the natural habitat of the terramare: red is obtained from madder roots.
Various tones of blue have been obtained from woad. The textiles created on the looms at Montale have been decorated with motifs deriving from pots uncovered at the terramare. Brocade technique was employed. Various tones of blue have been obtained from woad. The textiles created on the looms at Montale have been decorated with motifs deriving from pots uncovered at the terramare. Brocade technique was employed.
The terramare inhabitants used branches from trees and bushes, such as hazel, viburnum, ash and willow to make baskets, trellises and fences. The terramare inhabitants used branches from trees and bushes, such as hazel, viburnum, ash and willow to make baskets, trellises and fences.