An assemblage of textile instruments from the Early Iron Age Necropolis of Herdade do Pêgo (Ourique, Portugal)

Abstract

Among the material from the Early Iron Age necropolis of Herdade do Pêgo (Ourique) currently deposited in the National Museum of Archaeology there is a group of pieces related to textile production, namely spindle-whorls and pondera or loom-weights. The morphological and decorative study of these pieces shows that they are typical examples of the regional textile tools from this period, while their technical study reveals that they are perfectly suited for functions relating to spinning and weaving. For the time being, it is difficult to assess the meaning of the deposition of these pieces in a funerary environment, as it could be a result of the growing social and economic value of textile activities, which can in fact be seen in other contemporary contexts, or the product of a specific magic/religious symbolism connected with said activities and the associated materials.