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
Access all videos until the 4th May 2025
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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Introduction
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Lesson One: The Palaeolithic (AVAILABLE NOW)
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Part One
‘The String Age’. Discussion about the earliest evidence for cordage and textiles, what are palaeolithic needles actually for (probably not sewing leather), where do we find evidence for the earliest textile accessories.
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Part Two
Skill tutorial: Cordage masterclass
Tool Project: Make a needle. Demo in antler but also in wood.
Textile Project: A diagonally woven sash or strap inspired by Venus figurines. Possibly using ochre stains.
Supplies needed: Cordage material, could be flax, hemp, nettle, even strips of paper
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Lesson Two: The Mesolithic (AVAILABLE NOW)
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Part One
The Mesolithic is a transitionary period between the Palaeolithic and the Neolithic, whilst people are still hunter gatherers, we start seeing more evidence of settlement and suggestions that people are starting to modify their landscape and the resources within it, paving the way for the first agriculture.
This 30 minute video will cover:
Tree bast technologies, how to get cloth out of trees.
Lime bast processing and how to use raffia as an accessible alternative.
Twined construction.
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Part Two
Tool Project: Creating a ‘thorn’ bundle
Textile Project: Make a twined bag or bottle cover.
Supplies Needed: For the basket: raffia or lime bast, perhaps esparto or similar grass. You could use garden string if fibre is hard to get locally. For the thorn bundle: thorns or a package of wooden cocktail sticks, a small amount of fine strong string or handmade cordage (about an arm’s length is plenty).
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Lesson Three: The Neolithic (28th January
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Part One
During the Neolithic, farming becomes the primary way of life across the Near East and then Europe. Dates vary, starting around 12,200 years ago in the Levant, reaching Britain around 6000 years ago. There have been many theories as to why farming was adopted
The 30 minute video will cover:
Linen. Its place amongst the oldest cultivated crops
Flax processing tools from the Neolithic Lake Villages
Splicing versus Plying
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Part Two
Tool Project: Make wooden bobbins
Skill To Learn: Splicing fine threads in plant fibres
Textile Project: Woven sample on proto-loom
Supplies Needed: sticks or slim dowel, string or fine smooth cordage, clay (or substitute a small
potato!), plant fibres such as flax for splicing, knife or secateurs.
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Lesson Four: The Bronze Age (4th February)
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Q&A Session - Wednesday 5th March 5-6pm GMT
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).
Want to Gift this class to someone?
The best way is to buy a gift voucher for her. They can then sign up to the class using the voucher code.
This means that you can surprise them with the gift, and then the recipient can register with their email address to access all the resources.
Policy on Sharing Course Content
Thank you for your interest in our programmes. To ensure a high-quality experience and to respect the intellectual property rights of our teachers, we ask all participants to adhere to the following guidelines:
Do Not Share Recording Links or PDFs: The content provided during our sessions, including recording links and PDFs, is the intellectual property of our instructors. These materials are meant exclusively for the use of registered participants. Please refrain from sharing these resources with anyone outside of the program. Unauthorized distribution can undermine the value of the content and the hard work of our educators.
Do Not Share Zoom Links: Each session has a limited number of spaces to maintain an interactive and engaging environment. Sharing Zoom links with individuals who are not registered disrupts this balance and can lead to overcrowding, detracting from the experience of all participants. Please ensure that Zoom links are kept confidential and are not shared with others.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in these matters. By following these guidelines, you help us protect the intellectual property of our teachers and ensure that all participants have a fair and enjoyable learning experience.