Thread production in Late Postclassic Tepeticpac, Tlaxcala: a technological and experimental study of archaeological spindle whorls.

Summary

Textile production was one of the most valuable social and economic activities in prehispanic Mesoamerica. In this study, we inquire into thread production in the site of Tepeticpac, Tlaxcala, one of the main altepemeh of Late Postclassic Tlaxcallan, using a technological, ethnoarchaeological and experimental analysis. In particular, we evaluate key attributes of archaeological spindle whorls in the spinning process, including weight, shape and moment of inertia. With the collaboration of three craftswomen (zapotec and otomí), we performed an experimental study of thread production using replicas of archaeological spindle whorls and different types of fibers. Preliminary results show that although there is a certain correlation between the size of the spindle whorl and the quality of thread produced, it is the ability of the craftswoman and the spinning technique that determines its final quality.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 16107