Pictures: Looking at Ethnographic Examples of Cordage at the Pitt Rivers

On Wednesday we had a follow up session to the previous week's activity in Port Meadow, and we discovered that the Pitt Rivers is just full of cordage technology.

Some impressive pieces included cordage so fine and long that it looked machine made. The basketry was also interesting to look at, and some were woven so tightly as to be waterproof.

And as soon as it was highlighted to us, we discovered that cordage was everywhere to be found, from baskets, hafted tools, bow strings, fish nets, rope... even some sandals, brought in by Klint as a demonstration (well worn!):

We had brought some materials so that people that missed our rainy day in the meadow could learn the skill. A good way to learn is actually trying it out first on plastic bags (which actually make a really strong cordage):

Wandering through the Pitt Rivers, we continued to find other examples of cordage use from lots of different areas of the world through many different ages. The skill of cordage making will be able to help us in future activities with OxPalTechSoc, where we will be trying to make a number of the items we saw in the museum on that day - it was great for inspiration!

But all that discussion made us thirsty, so we eventually relocated to the Eagle and Child for some cordage making with some actual organic material instead of the plastic bags:

We had a great time at the Pitt Rivers, and will surely return again. The best thing about this museum, because of its seemingly jumbled layout and stuffed cabinets, is that no matter how many times you visit, there is always more fascinating things you never saw before.

Join us next week at the Ashmolean where we will be handling Lower Palaeolithic tools and discussing their manufacture and materials used (check out the below post!)

Ashmolean Museum Session Next Tuesday - Lower Palaeolithic Stone Tools

Photo Credit: BBC

Thank you to everybody who was able to make it to the Pitt Rivers museum session Wednesday! Even though it was a cold and rainy day (much like last week), we were inside this time and so managed to stay dry. A pub stop afterwards for some more cordage training was fun too. Stay tuned for pictures.

Next Tuesday (11 February) will be our first object handling and discussion session at the Ashmolean Museum with Alison Roberts. We will be looking at a broad overview of Lower Palaeolithic stone tool technology, discussing the material used and the manufacture methods.  If you are a beginner to handling lithics, this is a good introduction. And for people who are more familiar with lithic collections, it is a great opportunity to share your knowledge with others. 

We will be meeting on Tuesday before 2:00pm at the Ashmolean Museum side entrance on St Giles Street. The session will take 2 hours, but we have the room booked for a bit longer if you want to discuss things further.

*It is important to arrive early - if you arrive after we have gone up to the room at 2:00pm, you won't be able to come in. I recommend getting there at least 10 minutes early so you don't miss out.

Please RSVP if you are planning to come, by emailing oxpalaeo@gmail.com - there is a maximum number of people allowed in the room, so the first 6 people to RSVP will be able to go. After that I will put you on a waiting list, and let you know if a place becomes available.

I hope you are looking forward to seeing some of the Ashmolean's great Palaeolithic collections!

Ethnographic examples of cordage use at the Pitt Rivers, 5th February

Photo credit: www.prm.ox.ac.uk

OxPalTechSoc's next event is a follow-up to our cordage making last week: an informal walk around the Pitt Rivers museum, looking at how our newly acquired skills have been applied ethnographically.  

We will be meeting at the front doors of the Natural History Museum at 2:00pm on Wednesday 5 February. 

Even if you weren't able to make it to the first session, please come along, and feel free to bring a friend!  We will have with us some of the cordage we made last week, and can give you a quick run through (and if you were there last week, bring your own cordage to show off!). The Pitt Rivers always promises to be an interesting visit so it should be fun.

If you would like to join and become a member of the OxPalTechSoc, it costs £5 for the 2014 membership - this goes towards our purchasing and acquiring of materials, and renting of equipment.  Everyone is welcome, and the drop-in fee is just £2. Just give it to any of the committee members during a session (Klint, Will, Cory or Patrick).

Please RSVP by sending a quick email to oxpalaeo@gmail.com to let us know to expect you. We hope to see you there!