New evidence for Neolithic textiles in the Orkney Islands - Ep 103

Recently, new evidence for Neolithic fabric was found impressed on a sherd in the Orkney Islands. In an area where the environment is not conducive to preservation of textile, archaeologists must look for evidence in unconventional ways. Recently, a team from The University of the Highlands and the Islands in Scotland used Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) to identify the impression of woven fabric on a sherd. Chris and Rachel discuss the fabric impression, how it could have been made, and what the broader implication are of this discovery.

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The cord impression on the vessel is clearly visible, with the textile imprint to the right. [Image: UHI Archaeology Institute]

The cord impression on the vessel is clearly visible, with the textile imprint to the right. [Image: UHI Archaeology Institute]