< home # store # services # articles # game # app #contact >

It is hard to say just how old this craft is. What did you think? Natural materials were available almost everywhere. Things like wood, grass, plants; and, animal skins. But they decay naturally and constantly. Because of this. More often than not. Basket weaving’s history, is something we speculate on.

Basket weaving reflects evolution of ingenuity, as well as, cultural expression
The earliest known baskets date back to the upper Paleolithic era. Some around 20,000 years ago. Though evidence is mostly indirect. Like impressions left in clay or depictions in art.

During the Neolithic era. Around 10,000 years ago. basket weaving became prevalent
With the advent of agriculture and settled communities. Baskets became essential for storing and transporting food and goods. They were also much lighter than their stone and pottery counterparts.

In the middle east ancient Egyptians used basket weaving extensively. For daily life, funerary practices, and more
They made baskets from reeds and papyrus, often used to carry agricultural produce. They stored grain, and held personal items. Basketry was also well-developed nearby in Mesopotamia. In the early neolithic, and, into urban societies. Woven baskets were used a lot, and for a variety of purposes.

Did you know? In 2021, the Jerusalem post reported the oldest and largest complete basket. It was discovered in the Muraba’at Cave. In the Middle East. Dated to 10,500 years ago. (1)

The earliest reliable evidence for basket weaving technology is from the pre-pottery neolithic (PPN). At Tell Sabi Abyad II, and Çatalhöyük (2) (3)
No actual basketry remains were recovered though. There were impressions on floors, and fragments on bitumen. These suggested basketry objects were used for goods storage, and, moving building materials. Additional neolithic basketry impressions have been found at Jericho, and this area. Around the fertile crescent.

Neolithic Europe has similar evidence. There are impressions on pottery, and remnants found in bogs
By the end of this period. They were using stronger and renewable materials like bull rushes and willow trees.

In Africa. Basket weaving has a long history
The regions diverse styles and techniques. Reflect regional traditions. Ancient cultures, including Berbers. Often incorporated intricate patterns and designs.

China and Japan was special. They had bamboo and rattan for materials

The Americas also hold a long tradition of basket weaving
Often for ceremonial purposes. And, using symbolic designs. Is still a significant part of cultures in the south west.

Four types of basketry are coiled, plaiting, twining, wicker and splint
Coiled uses grasses, rushes and pine needles. Plaiting has materials that are wide and braid like. Like palms, yucca or flax. Twining uses materials from roots and tree bark. Done with a weaving technique. Where two or more flexible weaving elements cross each other. As they weave through a stiffer radial spoke. While, wicker and splint basketry. Uses materials like reed, cane, willow, oak, and ash.

Despite its unknown origins. Basket weaving is deeply embedded in the cultural identity and traditions of many societies. The patterns, techniques, and uses, reflect values, and often hold symbolic meaning. From prehistoric times, the history is a testament to human adaptability and its creativity. It is one of the widest spread crafts. Basket weaving will always be known for its beauty; and, realistic cultural significance.

Citation: 1) “Oldest woven basket in the world found in Israel, dates back 10,000 years” (https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/oldest-woven-basket-in-the-world-found-in-israel-dates-back-10000-years-662183). The Jerusalem Post JPost.com. 16 March 2021

2) Verhoeven, M. (2000). “The small finds”. In Verhoeven, M.; Akkermans, P.M.M.G. (eds.). Tell Sabi Abyad II: The Pre-Pottery Neolithic B Settlement. Leiden and Istanbul: Nederlands Historisch-Archaeologisch Instituut. pp. 91–122.

3) Wendrich, W.; Ryan, P. (2012). “Phytoliths and basketry materials at Çatalhöyük (Turkey): timelines of growth, harvest and objects life histories”. Paléorient. 38 (38.1–2): 55–63. doi:10.3406/paleo.2012.5458 (https://doi.org/10.3406%2Fpaleo.2012.5458)

Bibliography: Bobart, H. H. (1936) Basket Work through the Ages. London: Oxford University Press

Diamond, Jared M. (2005). Guns, Germs, and Steel : The fates of human societies. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. p. 261. ISBN 978-0-393-06131-4. “Nomadic hunter-gatherers are limited to technology that can be carried….You can’t be burdened with pottery and printing presses as you shift camp….For example, the earliest attested precursors of ceramics are fired clay figurines made in the area of modern Czechoslovakia 27,000 years ago, long before the oldest known fired clay vessels (from Japan 14,000 years ago)….the oldest known basket appears around 13,000 years ago”

Erdly, Catherine. “History” (https://web.archive.org/web/20070928044059/http://nwmail.washtenaw.cc.mi.us/~cerdly/gdt200/FinalProject/history.html). Basket Weaving. Archived from the original