Looms for linen

Abstract

An instrument of wood from the 11th century at Hedeby (Haithabu) is interpreted as a treadle-loom pulley, and similar to contemporary and older finds from Poland, and to pulleys found in northem Europe, e.g. from the 12th century at Sigtuna. The numerous Joom-weights which were also found at Hedeby, are interpreted to indi-cate that the warp-weighted loom, which is especially suitable for the elastic quali-ties of wool, and the treadle Joom which is better suited to linen, were used side-by-side at Hedeby. It is argued that the loom finds from Riga, Latvia, and the pulleys from Sigtuna, are evidence for linen trade between the Baltic countries and Swe-den. Finally, the shaft-horse listed among the range of treadle-loom parts from c.1200 AD at Riga is here
re-interpreted as a Jreadle-horse, a part of a Joom which is no Jonger used in hand-weaving today.