Tangled threads. Byssus and sea silk in the Bronze Age: an interdisciplinary approach
Soriga, E.; Carannante, A. (2017). Tangled threads. Byssus and sea silk in the Bronze Age: an interdisciplinary approach, in: Enegren, H.L. et al. (Ed.) Treasures from the sea: sea silk and shellfish purple dye in antiquity. Ancient Textiles Series , 30: pp. 29-45
In: Enegren, H.L.; Meo, F. (Ed.) (2017). Treasures from the sea: Sea silk and shellfish purple dye in antiquity. Ancient Textiles Series, 30. Oxbow Books: Oxford & Philadelphia. ISBN 978-1-78570-435-2. 158 pp., more
In: Ancient Textiles Series . Oxbow Books: Oxford, more
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Authors | | Top |
- Soriga, E.
- Carannante, A.
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Abstract |
The term “byssus” indicates, at least from the 2nd century AD, sea silk, a precious golden fibre produced by the Mediterranean bivalve Pinna nobilis. Since the 9th century BC, Syrian and Mesopotamian tablets mention textiles and fabrics in a precious fibre named byssus (Akk.buṣu; Aram. b. ). Some related terms (Heb.bûṣ; Gr.byssos; Lat.byssus) occur then for the remainder of the 1st millennium BC in the Classical and Biblical textual sources. The nature of this fibre is still controversial and the term is generally interpreted as the finest quality of linen rather than sea silk. |
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