Study, Classification and Comparison of Chalcolithic Spindle Whorls of Chār Ārou, Seymareh River Valley, Luristan

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Abstract

It seems that the emerging date of spinning and weaving industry in Iran was from the time people using caves such as Houto and Kamarband; here, there are some strong evidences on such industry. Spinning and weaving have been of thriving professions in Iran and since it is a basic and functional need over time; it has been attempted to become self-sufficient in its products. Documents verify that the Iranian textiles have been produced mainly for export in some time spans as regimes have done their best to develop the textile industry. Understanding the studies on the potential of fibers production, informative resources of this industry must be sought. Such studies are mainly focus on ancient animal and botanical findings. Of the most important information resources in producing fiber are spinning Spindle whorls. Archaeological studies on such finds which based on typology, classification and other documents provide studying the fibers production and spinning industry, presenting two factors of settlement in villages and herding by using existing evidence via ethnoarchaeology. Having motivator for settling leading to development of rural centers is a title which is considered in researches on fibers production; herding should be considered as a vital basis on development and production of fibers in Zagros. Assuming the relationship between herding and fiber production, it gives us better understanding about the details and organization in textile production. In this research, we understood how to analysis the spinning industry by the Chalcolithic period in Seymareh River, presenting the Spindle whorls typology and patterns to organize fiber and textile production. Based on ethnoarchaeology studies on 26 Spindle whorls recovered from second season of excavation in Tappeh Chār Ārou.

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