Loom weights from archaeological excavations in Memphis: some considerations on dating of vertical loom in Egypt

   The paper is devoted to investigation of clay and stone loom weights that were found during the archaeological excavations of the Centre of Egyptological Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences at Memphis (Egypt).    The loom weights are divided on six groups: ring-shaped, doughnut-shaped, semicircular, pyramidal, tear-shaped, and trapezoidal. They are made in different ways. Groups of ring-shaped, doughnut-shaped, and semicircular loom weights are made of unfired and fired at a low temperature Nile silt clay. The quality fabric was used for production of pyramidal and tear-shaped loom weights.    The loom weights from Memphis are dated to the Late period (526–332 BCE). Parallels of these objects are found at different sites in Egypt and neighbouring countries. Basically, loom weights were used for a warp-weighted loom so they could mark the beginning of its usage in Egypt. It is generally accepted that this loom emerged in Egypt during the Ptolemaic period (332–30 BCE). This period is characterised by strong Greek influence on Egyptian culture. However, scholars still do not have definitive evidence that a warp-weighted loom appeared during the Late period. Some scholars doubt all weights in Egypt were used for textile production. These weights could be used as plumbs, net weights, or, presumably, for other types of looms.    Multifunctionality of weights complicates study of textile production in Egypt during the Late period. However, the weights from Memphis and their parallels from other sites allow us to raise the question of the earlier appearance of a warp-weighted loom in Egypt.