Abstract
The paper deals with textile production during the Neolithic and Aeneolithic period in the region of western Slovakia and Moravia. Data presented here are preliminary results, research is still ongoing.
Spindle whorls were documented both in museum depositories and in literature. Based on the collected database, analytical graphs and maps were created and they show the distribution and typology of spindle whorls.
During the Neolithic period, the majority of the spindle whorls were biconical; other types are present, but only rarely. On the other hand, in the Aeneolithic period we observe change.
The typology of spindle whorls is quite diverse - conical, spherical, discoid, lenticular and of course biconical. From a territorial perspective, spindle whorls found in Slovakia are mostly biconical, various types are common, especially in Moravia.
During the Neolithic, decoration is very rare but increases in the Aeneolithic period. Decorated spindle whorls are very frequent at sites with a high number of recovered spindle whorls, up to 11%.
There is also a difference in terms of weight; the Neolithic spindle whorls are slightly heavier than those from the Aeneolithic - that also imply production of different yarn. One of the most significant differences though, is the number of spindle whorls.
While at the Neolithic sites only a few spindle whorls were recovered, there are hundreds of them at the Aeneolithic ones. Sites with a larger number of spindle whorls were found especially in higher locations (where agricultural activity is not possible), types and their parameters are very similar - all that gives the impression of overproduction or specialization - it is necessary to have more data and therefore they are currently being processed.