objects from readily biodegradeable materials

Rhiannon Mar 23, 2014 22:04:52

There is a virtual exhibition of baskets made by indigenous Australians on the British Museum website, I thought it was just fascinating and amazing. There's been traditions of making baskets across the continent, I guess originally for usefulness in gathering, but elaborated to include spiritual elements, and adapted when incoming people brought new techniques and new materials.
http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/themes/baskets_and_belonging.aspx

It made me reflect on the material culture from this country that we'll never know about because it's long decayed and gone. I wonder if prehistoric gatherers in this country made such fine and sometimes symbolic items. It's nice to think that maybe they did.

It makes me want to dash outside and start gathering plants.. spring's on its way.

Hob Apr 9, 2014 19:39:48

Replying to Rhiannon

I was thinking about something along imilar lines the other day.

I found a box in the attic with a ream of paper I bought years ago in the US, made by native 'muricans using a trad recipe. They used tree bark from a particular tree, which when treated in a particular way, for the right length of time etc, produced some really nice flat sheets of durable writing paper, all covered in swirly patterns.

It got me to thinking about how the Vidolanda tabelts were solid wood, and they barely survived 2000yrs, so if there ever had been tree-bark paper, it'd probably have gone the distance long ago.

I envisage a sheet of ancient bark-paper covered in cup and ring marks, clearly explaining their meaning by an adjacent translation into ancient greek.

Howburn Digger May 2, 2014 19:53:45

Replying to Rhiannon

I think the clothing and containers (rucksack, scabbard, cap, garments, leggings, cloak and shoes etc) found with Otzi the Iceman showed the fantastically skilled techniques and amazing detail our ancient forebears wove into clothing and containers. Grass, plants, leaves, sinews, leather - they worked it all with expertise.
There are a few objects in the National Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street which always blow me away because they are made of totally biodegradable stuff and look amazing. They have survived because of the wetness of Scotland.

http://www.nms.ac.uk/collections/details.php?item_id=136824&terms=level%200&key=location.entry_1&offset=192&pos=206&tot=2740

This looks like it could have been run up yesterday. Well sort of...

http://www.nms.ac.uk/collections/details.php?item_id=19564&terms=level%200&key=location.entry_1&offset=0&pos=4&tot=2740

And I always stop to greet this old bald lady...

http://www.nms.ac.uk/images/ballachulishfigure-originalphoto.jpg

She was found in wicker/ basketwork below the peat at Ballachulish.

http://www.nms.ac.uk/highlights/objects_in_focus/ballachulish_figure.aspx

Some say she is made of Alder, some say Oak. She is certainly something.

As for whether our ancient forebears made fine wicker/ basketwork? I have absolutely no doubt that they did. They certainly wove marvellous wattles for their walls and I am certain their basketwork was the talk of the roundhouse... if not the whisper of the village.

spencer May 5, 2014 11:57:41

Replying to Rhiannon

That, and the widespread use of pigments and dyes, should be taken as a given...no shred of doubt.