Sailing Textiles from Prehistory to Early History: Exploring the Significance of Textiles and Fibres in Seafaring

Sailing Textiles brings together researchers from across Europe to explore the production and use of sails, maritime textiles, rigging, and ropes, through an array of archaeological, historical, and textual evidence.

Much research into maritime textiles, such as the reconstruction of ancient vessels, is rooted in museum contexts without further academic discussion. This volume addresses that gap by presenting both case studies and wider discussions organised around three key themes: sails and sail production from Antiquity to the 19th century; archaeological evidence for maritime exchange, sailing, and textile production linked to maritime activities; and boat technology, including the significance of ropes and rigging.

Covering a geographical range from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, the contributions draw on source materials based on archaeological evidence, classical literature, documentary records, and experimental research.