Smith, Michele Hayeur

The Valkyries' Loom: The Archaeology of Cloth Production and Female Power in the North Atlantic (Cultural Heritage Studies)

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ISBN 13:: 9780813080116
author:: Smith, Michele Hayeur
format:: Paperback
publisher:: University Press of Florida
language:: English
Publication Year:: 2023
Pages:: 236
Dimensions:: 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 centimetres (0
Genre:: Nonfiction, Social Sciences, Women's Studies,
Condition:: New
Availability:: Item usually sent within 7 working days

£18.79

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Description

Description

The Valkyries' Loom: Uncovering the Power of Viking Women in Textile Production In The Valkyries' Loom, Michèle Hayeur Smith offers a groundbreaking study of Viking textiles, revealing the significant role that women played in the production and trade of cloth in Norse societies of the North Atlantic. Through a systematic comparative analysis of vast textile collections from Iceland, Greenland, Denmark, Scotland, and the Faroe Islands, Smith sheds new light on the influence of women on international trade, national identity, and community survival. By examining garments and fragments from these collections, Smith provides insights into how women helped their communities adapt to climate change and shaped the development of national identities through their clothing. This innovative work also draws on the poem "Darraðarljoð" from Njál's Saga, highlighting the societal attitudes towards weaving and the Valkyries' role in producing the cloth of history. This monumental study establishes the foundation for a gendered archaeology of the North Atlantic, bringing Norse women and their labor to the forefront of research.

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