Marisia - Maros Megyei Múzeum Évkönyve 31/1. (2011)
Articles
32 P. Mazäre three-dimensional and two-dimensional twining by considering the type of fibres that are used as well as by the technique applied and the end product. More precisely, the three dimensional twinning corresponds mostly to the twining basketry techniques in which fibres with a higher degree of rigidity are used and the end products are three-dimensional objects (e.g. hats, gloves, footwear,5 containers, etc.); the twodimensional twining corresponds especially to those techniques that mainly require flexible fibres and the end products are textile items with the aspect and properties of cloth fabrics (Rast-Eicher 2005, 118-123). The latter technique falls under the category defined by A. Seiler-Baldinger as “advanced textile techniques” in which one system acts as warp yarns and the other as weft (Seiler-Baldinger 1994, 50, 61; Médard- Seiler-Baldinger 2010, 61-62). Considering the relationship between these two systems of threads, one may distinguish between textiles with active warp - warp twining (Fig. 4) - and textiles with passive warp - weft twining (Fig. 5). Warp twining is technologically more limited and less prevalent than weft twining. Occasionally it is used in combination with other methods such as ‘intertwining sprang’ or ‘half-weaving with continuous shed reservation’ (Seiler-Baldinger 1994, 54, 70, fig. 93c, 130; Médard-Seiler-Baldinger 2010, 61-62, fig. 40c-d) (Fig. 8/b). Weft twining has allows for more technological freedom, as there are numerous varieties in the production of structures (Seiler-Baldinger 1994, 61-62). The basic criterion for their classification is the number and arrangement of warp yarns enclosed by the weft twists. Based on this we can distinguish between simple or plain twining (Fig. 5/a-b) and twilled (diagonal) twining, also called twining on alternate pairs (Fig. 5/c-d). The derived types (Fig. 5) could be obtained by different twist directions for the weft or by having a different spacing of the weft rows (Adovasio 1977b, 15-20, fig. 6-8; Broudy 1993, 37, fig. 2-20; Médard 2010, 78-81, fig. 58; Schick 1988, 37, fig. 13-16; Seiler- Baldinger 1994, 61-62, fig. 118; Seiler-Baldinger 2003, 59, fig. 9). Twined textiles are widespread throughout prehistory. The finds from Pavlov I, Dőlni Véstonice I and II, dating back to Upper Palaeolithic (Adovasio Et Al. 1996; 1997; Soffer Et Al. 1998; 2000a; 2000b) would indicate that they represent the oldest type of textile structure. Fragments of twined fabrics were also found in the Near East PPNB, at Tell-Halula, Syria from the 8th millennium BC (Alfaro 2002), Nahal Hemar in Israel (Schick 1988, 37) and Qatal Hüyük in Anatolia, around 6000 BC (Barber 1991, 128, fig. 4.5; Burnham 1965, pi. XXXII/b; Helbaek 1963, 40). 5 Common artefacts achieved by using the twining technique (usually found in craft markets in Romania) are the bulrush slippers. Currently they are made in certain settlements specialized in bulrush (Typha sp.) objects production located in Transylvania (e.g. Tonciu, Bistrita-Näsäud County). Fig. 4. Different types of warp twined textiles, a. Open S twist twining; b. Narrow band made in warp faced Z twist twining (after Seiler-Baldinger 1991).
