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Wooden weaving sword
E6 Wooden weaving sword
Wooden weaving sword
Wooden weaving sword

E6 Wooden weaving sword

Date14th Century
Object NameWeaving sword
Mediumwood
ClassificationsArchaeology Excavated
DimensionsLength: 47 cm, Width: 8 cm
LocationOn Display - Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Object numberABDMS003832.1
About MeThis weaving sword was probably used on a vertical loom to push the horizontal threads up to make cloth.

Vertical looms consist of a frame at the top of which threads are attached. These 'warp' threads are weighted down and 'weft' threads are woven side-to-side through them. A weaving 'sword' is then used to push the horizontal threads together.

Knowledge of cloth preparation in medieval Scotland is still very limited, but the usual view is that vertical looms had gone out of use by the 14th century. The finding of a weaving 'sword' (and a loom weight) on an urban site may suggest otherwise.