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AnaphoricReference t1_jdujoe8 wrote

Reply to comment by Javaddict in Oldest tartan found to date back to 16th Century - A scrap of fabric found in a Highland peat bog 40 years ago is likely to be the oldest tartan ever discovered in Scotland, new tests have established. by ArtOak

If mere dark-light checkered textiles count, the oldest dyed tartan in the Netherlands is from 800 BC. Checkered textiles are hardly an original idea. Most traditional "ethnic" dress is a lot younger than most people like to believe.

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Wombbread69 t1_jdv8oa1 wrote

You can get dark and light patterns by using different colors of wool. They don't necessarily have to be dyed. They could have used wool from different colored sheep. I think the "true" tartans had reds, greens and blues in them, definitely dyed.

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AnaphoricReference t1_jdve8kt wrote

Both basketweave and dyeing are obviously millenia old, and sometimes occur together from about 1000BC onwards. But looms, widespread trade in dyes, and textile industry are a lot younger.

The idea of all people in the clan wearing the same complex pattern in a number of different colours kind of presupposes a local textile industry using looms that could repetitively and inexpensively produce the exact same pattern. No way poorer clan members would have managed to do that at home.

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Wombbread69 t1_jdvm3dl wrote

I think you underestimate the ability of local (individual) spinners and weavers of the time. A group of a dozen women could spin, dye and weave a surprising number of textiles in a surprisingly short period of time.

Source: see my wife's spinners guild, those old ladies can throw down some weaves. The technology is largely unchanged.

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Expresslane_ t1_jdvuqch wrote

He also underestimates the amount of time spent weaving. In many cultures even right up to the industrial revolution, weaving would have been the single biggest use of time for women.

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darklyshining t1_jdvym56 wrote

It was also a traditionally male occupation, from what I gather.

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Wombbread69 t1_jdw4k8s wrote

I don't think it became a predominantly male occupation until it started to become industrialized. That probably also depends on location. I could be wrong though, haven't looked into it that much.

I also wouldn't go as far to say it was "traditionally" a male occupation... I'd say it became a male dominated occupation in "modern" history. It traditionally was a female occupation. From my understanding.

Good point nonetheless.

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Javaddict t1_jdwm00j wrote

that is interesting but the post was about tartan found in Scotland specifically

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