Introduction to Prehistoric Textiles
An online course with Sally Pointer
This online course provides a comprehensive introduction to prehistoric textile techniques, with a focus on evidence from Northern Europe. Participants will learn about the evolution of textile tools and technologies through four weekly pre-recorded video lessons, each approximately one hour long. A live Q&A session will follow the course to address questions.
Pre-recorded Lessons: Released weekly starting January 14, 2025
Live Q&A Session: March 5, 2025, one hour 5-6pm GMT
A PDF Handout will be provided
This course is suitable for beginners and requires no prior experience in textile techniques. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of key prehistoric textile methods and their applications in modern craft.
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Lesson One: The Palaeolithic (14th January)
A one hour video, to be shared on the 14th January
· ‘The String Age’, why this period is critical for our understanding of textiles, clothing and basketry technologies.
· Cordage masterclass
· The Needle Question: What exactly are palaeolithic needles for?
· Project one: Make your own needle and awl!
· Insights from ‘Venus Figurines’ what are people wearing?
· Project two: A finger woven belt
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Lesson Two: The Mesolithic (21st January)
A one hour video will be shared on the 21st January
Tree bast technologies, how to get cloth out of trees
Lime bast processing and how to use raffia as an accessible alternative
Twined construction
Projects: Creating a ‘thorn’ bundle and a twined bag or bottle cover.
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Lesson Three: The Neolithic (28th January)
A one hour video will be shared on the 28th January
Linen. Its place amongst the oldest cultivated crops
Flax processing tools from the Neolithic Lake Villages
Splicing versus Plying
Projects: Making thread bobbins and weaving with spliced thread.
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Lesson Four: The Bronze Age (4th February)
A one hour video will be shared on the 4th February
Introduction of wool and changes in textile practices
Spinning with a Bronze Age spindle
Looms and alternative ways of creating textiles
An introduction to sprang
Projects: Crafting a Bronze Age spindle and setting up a sprang frame for a bag or hairnet
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Live Q&A Session on the 5th March
Join the live Q&A session with Sally 5-6pm GMT on Wednesday the 5th March 2025.
The Zoom link and subsequent recording will be shared on this page.
Materials Needed:
A small piece of antler, bone, or close-grained wood (for making a needle and awl)
Fine string, flax, or hemp fibres (substitutes like nettle or dogbane can be used)
Lime bast or raffia
Self-hardening clay
Small sticks
A small amount of sheep’s wool
Common household items as needed
About Sally Pointer:
Sally Pointer is an archaeologist and heritage educator committed to keeping techniques from the past in modern use. With a working background in the museum and heritage industry, she has an MSc in Experimental Archaeology and is an Honorary Associate Research Fellow at Exeter University, where she is currently researching prehistoric textiles. She is a member of the Heritage Crafts Association and EXARC, and teaches traditional skills and heritage crafts both in person and via online tutorials.
Find videos at http://www.youtube.com/c/sallypointer
http://www.sallypointer.com (all the other social media is linked from there too).