Spinning and weaving in the pile dwelling of Molina di Ledro (Trento, Northeastern Italy): notes on wooden tools

Published in Origini n. XL/2017. Rivista annuale del Dipartimento di Scienze dell’Antichità – “Sapienza” Università di Roma | Preistoria e protostoria delle civiltà antiche – Prehistory and protohistory of ancient civilizations | The pile dwelling of Molina di Ledro is one of the most important Bronze Age settlements in northern Italy. The settlement is dated from the beginning of the Early Bronze Age (late 3rd millennium BC) to the Middle Bronze Age, with the presence of elements attributable to the beginning of the Late Bronze. The excavations have yielded an extraordinary collection of data that are connected with both the structure of the settlement as well as its material culture. Unfortunately R. Battaglia was unable to complete the study and publication of the materials, many of which have lost over time the associated stratigraphic information which had been recorded. Among the numerous finds stands out a large group of wooden artefacts preserved thanks to the particular environmental conditions. In this article we present some objects connected with spinning and especially weaving activities. Of particular interest is a group of weaving swords, which includes both finished and partially complete items. A wooden comb appears to have had the same function.