Abstract
The aim of this article is to present the textile production in ancient Egypt. This material figured prominently in all aspects of life of the Egyptians.
Information about it derives from the textiles themselves and from the representation on tomb-paintings and models of workshops. In the first part, the author points to different uses of textile as documented in archaeological finds.
Besides the clothes it was plentifully needed in the households, for funeral use, in religion and it has also its economical function. The second part deals with the technology of production of textile.
The most common raw material for production was flax, but rarely other plant or animal materials were also used. The prepared flax yarns had to be spun, iconographical sources show that there were several ways in which this activity was carried out.
Special attention is paid to weaving. Findings indicate that in ancient Egypt two types of looms were known - horizontal and vertical.
The extent of use of both of these types has been discussed by researchers for a long time. The finished textile product could be decorated in a variety of ways, the article presents especially those that are used on Abusir material.
Finally, the various archaeological contexts of Abusir textile finds are outlined along with the functions of this material. Examples of some most interesting textile finds are also presented.
Due to the character of the site, they are dated to the 3rd and 1st millennium BC.