LATE BRONZE AGE SPINDLE WHORLS AND LOOM WEIGHTS FROM BEYCESULTAN IN WESTERN ANATOLIA: NEW FINDINGS, NEW OBSERVATIONS

Abstract

This paper examines Late Bronze Age spindle whorls and loom weights found in the ongoing excavations at Beycesultan Höyük restarted in 2007 in context. Some supporting evidence on the functions of weaving tools has been obtained based on the context. The lack of written sources on weaving in Western Anatolia entails directly description of the weaving of this region through archaeological material. Spindle whorls in various forms and sizes indicate that different types of yarns were produced in the settlement while the numerous loom weights in the settlement imply the weavings be woven on the warp-weighted vertical looms of different sizes. The weaving tools found in the houses with several rooms indicate that weaving was practiced as a specialized occupation by some members of the household. It may be assumed that spinning could be done in almost any room, but wider courtyards were generally preferred for weaving with a loom. The storage rooms or living rooms of the houses were areas where the weaving tools were collected/stored after the weaving was stowed/stored. Despite similarities with Central Anatolia and Western Anatolia, local effects on weaving tools are quite dominant. With a large number of decoration elements unique to Beycesultan, some spindle whorls and loom weights found also support this view. The data renders Beycesultan höyük as an important textile production center in Western Anatolia. Hundreds of spindle whorls and loom weights found that will also dim light on the settlement and the region's Late Bronze Age weaving in region.