Ilija Dankovic
Institute of Archaeology, Belgrade, Serbia, Project Viminacium, Department Member
- Roman Women, Roman Life course, Roman family, Archaeology of Gender, Roman Provincial Archaeology, Roman Archaeology, and 30 moreBurial Customs, Women in the ancient world, Roman Province Moesia Superior, Roman History, Roman urban crafts, Spinning, Gender, Gender and Sexuality, Roman Small Finds, Roman Art, Roman Jewellery, Roman Water Supply (Archaeology), Roman roads, Ancient Textiles, Roman Necropolis, Roman burial practices, Ancient History, Funerary Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, Death and Burial (Archaeology), Contextualizing Ancient Magic, Archaeology of Ritual and Magic, Ancient magic, Ancient Egyptian Magic, Magic and Divination in the Ancient World, Witchcraft, Religion and Magic, Greek magic. Magic Gems. Defixionis Tabellae. Lamellae. Comminatory Language in magic acts and exorcism., Greek Magic. Magic Gems. Defixionis Tabellae. Lamellae. Comminatory Language In Magic Acts and Exorcism, Late Antique Magic, and Graeco-Roman Religionedit
Аbstract: Bone spinning implements have traditionally been a neglected part of Roman material culture, due to a general lack of interest for topics outside of the so-called "male domain". The consequence of such a situation is that hand... more
Аbstract: Bone spinning implements have traditionally been a neglected part of Roman material culture, due to a general lack of interest for topics outside of the so-called "male domain". The consequence of such a situation is that hand distaffs often remained unidentified , in manners that contributed to the persistence of stereotypes about women in the Ro-man world. The predominant occurrence of these artefacts in sepulchral contexts, as well as their supposed fragility and miniature dimensions, led some scholars to the conclusion that they had a symbolic and ritual role. On the other hand, most of bone spinning implements possess some undoubtedly functional elements. This article presents an attempt to systematize all available data on bone spinning equipment, with particular focus on the collection of distaffs and spindles from ancient Viminacium. At the current stage of research, it can be concluded that there is no compelling evidence for the use of bone spinning tools in everyday wool working in Viminacium. Кeywords: Roman wool spinning, bone distaffs, bone spindles, Viminacium Wool had a special significance in the Roman world. The Latin word for it-lana was simultaneously used to name clothes in general (Larsson Lovén 1998, 85). Garments worn by priests of the traditional Roman religion were exclusively made out of wool. It was also used for bands that were tied around the heads of sacrificial animals, sacred trees, altars, temple columns, etc. Wool symbolizes the correct relationship with nature because, unlike leather, it comes from an animal that continues to live (Sebesta 2001, 47). A very important step in the process of making a finished product from the raw material was the spinning of the yarn. Equipment used for this task consisted of three implements: a distaff-colus, a spindle-fusus, and a basket for storing tools as well as rovings of unspun wool and balls of yarn-calathus (Facsády 2008, 166). A roving of wool would have been attached to a distaff held in the left hand, and from it, fibres would be extracted with two fingers. The spindle was in the right hand, and on it, there was some yarn already spun, the
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A luxurious set of spinning implements was discovered as part of the furnishings in the grave of a woman, unearthed in the surroundings of ancient Viminacium. A unique amber distaff with the upper part modelled in the form of a female... more
A luxurious set of spinning implements was discovered as part of the furnishings in the grave of a woman, unearthed
in the surroundings of ancient Viminacium. A unique amber distaff with the upper part modelled in the form of a female bust
stands out as the most important part of the grave assemblage. Similar artefacts were often misinterpreted, but this specimen
was found together with a spindle, thus confirming that it actually is a distaff. Miniature copies of spinning equipment made out
of precious materials are known from sepulchral contexts, and are described as objects expressing feminine virtue. It is considered
that they were used in wedding rites, thus indicating the possible age of the deceased. Spinning implements can represent useful
tools for studying the life course of Roman women. In this paper, an attempt was made to identify the divinity or person depicted
on the distaff from Viminacium, considering the symbolic nature of these artefacts.
in the surroundings of ancient Viminacium. A unique amber distaff with the upper part modelled in the form of a female bust
stands out as the most important part of the grave assemblage. Similar artefacts were often misinterpreted, but this specimen
was found together with a spindle, thus confirming that it actually is a distaff. Miniature copies of spinning equipment made out
of precious materials are known from sepulchral contexts, and are described as objects expressing feminine virtue. It is considered
that they were used in wedding rites, thus indicating the possible age of the deceased. Spinning implements can represent useful
tools for studying the life course of Roman women. In this paper, an attempt was made to identify the divinity or person depicted
on the distaff from Viminacium, considering the symbolic nature of these artefacts.