Analysis of the Oldest Wool Fabric Found in Europe

The first part of the paper presents the historical development of looms and analyses the oldest preserved fabric samples. Emphasis is given to the analysis of woolen fabrics recently found in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the regions inhabited by Croats. The results show that the fabric is aged from 3550 to 3800 years and is the oldest woolen fabric in Europe. The characteristic of these fabrics is their specific weaving with selvedges on all four edges of the fabric. The fabric was woven from a course wool yarn of various densities in the weft direction using different weaves and weaving techniques, with a border created by weft thread at the beginning and end of weaving. This is the reason why the fabric looks embossed and compact and is easily recognisable amongst the old hand weaving in these regions.