Creativity and Corded Skirts from Bronze Age Scandinavia

Abstract

This article will present new data on corded skirts from Bronze Age Scandinavia, providing an opportunity to discuss variation within this clothing type and creativity in its production. In the past this has mainly been considered based on the fully preserved skirt found in the oak-log coffin burial from Egtved, Denmark. This article includes the evidence of less well-preserved corded skirts to show that there is much more variation than previously thought in the way they were created. It is argued that this was an arena in which prehistoric textile craftspeople might show off their creativity.

Keywords:

• dress
• costume
• prehistory
• Denmark
• Sweden
• craftsmanship