Crafting a post-orientalising world: textile production and social dynamics in southwestern Iberia in the late 6th-5th century BC

Resumen del trabajo presentado al 23rd Annual Meeting of the European Association of Archaeologists: Building Bridges, celebrado en Maastricht del 30 de agosto al 3 de septiembre de 2017.The role of textile craft and production has been often neglected in favour of other economic activities such as pottery making or metallurgy. However, textile production implies a long and complex 'chaîne opératoire' in which many and diverse artisans –potters, carpenters, metalworkers, and textile specialists–; materials –linen, wood, textile tools, etc.–; and techniques –spinning, weaving, and dyeing– are actively involved. Since the very beginning of the process, textile production requires solid planning and collaboration among different members of the community, from farmers and shepherds, to spinners and weavers, plus metalworkers and merchants. Textile production and consumption are thus a fruitful venue to explore sequential activities associated both to groups and individual persons. The study of textile manufacture assists us in gaining a better understanding of the social and economic dynamics of craft production and consumption in prehistoric and pre-industrial societies. In this paper, we would like to focus particularly on the 'chaîne opératoire' of textile production in southwestern Iberia in the late 6th-5th century BC.Peer Reviewe