B3. The Handloom
Wool was carded, spun and weaved. Before the spinning wheel came into use, spinning was done by a spindle.
The loom stood upright, the warp held tight with the help of stones.
These looms were already in use in the Bronze Age (1800-500 BC).
Among the Sami this loom became more common as the sheep gradually became a part of the farming stock.
In Norse Middle Age society, the loom was more and more common and the former method of weaving became obsolete.
Among the Sami, the old-fashioned loom was still in use and in modern times tapestries woven on it. In Manndalen in Troms, weaving is still done this way.
Item 1 Arrowhead
Iron arrowhead found at Kjøpsvik, Tysfjord, dated 400-600 AD.
Item 2 Spinning Wheel
Soapstone spinning wheel found in a turf hut at Saltfjellet, dated 1300-1400 AD.
Item 3 Weaving Weight
Soapstone weaving weights found at Forså, Tysfjord and at Bonå, Sørfold.