The origins of southeast Asian weaving traditions: the perspective from archaeology

Abstract

This paper presents a new map and account of the emergence and spread of spindle whorls in archaeological sites across southern China and southeast Asia. Spindle whorls are evidence of intensive yarn production, and hence of weaving. In the past two decades a considerable amount of new data on the presence of spindle whorls in the archaeological record has come to light, along with improved dates for existing sites. In mainland southeast Asia the occurrences of spindle whorls are linked to the emergence and spread of Neolithic lifeways, including rice farming. Remains of loom parts, a much rarer occurrence, are also considered. Loom components that have been misinterpreted or overlooked in previous publications are described and placed in context. Southwestern China emerges as a key center for innovation in weaving technique, linked with the emergence and differentiation of the ethnolinguistic groups found in the region today. Loom designs that belong to lineages that originated in the Neolithic period are still in use in rural areas southwestern China and southeast Asia today.