The main objective of this PhD-project should be to achieve novel knowledge of Iron Age textiles and wool production, by using a combination of archaeological, experimental and/or archaeometric research methods. Wool is a central component in Iron Age textile products. The Museum of Archaeology wishes to activate and showcase an understudied material in the collection: our unique corpus of wool textiles from southwest Norway. The Migration period in particular stands out due to its wealth of information regarding textile production, in particular high quality textile products, such as the tablet woven bands. The material from south-western Norway can be the main focus of the study or can be compared with material from other regions in Norway or further afield. Applicants can also choose other geographical areas, materials and periods for comparison, if suited to meet the objectives. The manufacturing of wool and textiles of high quality involve a long and complex production sequence, based on a wide spectrum of knowledge, beginning with the breeding of sheep, feeding and grazing regimes, the plucking, sorting and dying of the wool, to the finished cloth or tablet woven band. Empirical knowledge of the operational chains and the spectrum of actors involved in prehistoric textile production is needed. Rather than focusing on one specific textile production technique, the successful candidate will take into account the whole complex of the production sequence and from there, zoom in on aspects of the process (production, use, deposition, context). Studies aiming to identify wool colours and thus the aesthetic and visual aspects of the Iron Age dress are also welcome.
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