Palaeolithic Hair-net Experiment

The Venus of Brassempouy is one of the great treasures of Palaeolithic art. The debate about whether she has been carved to represent a hairstyle or a head covering is ongoing. Here I explore the possibility of it being a cord based hair net, using stinging nettle fibre.

The Venus de Brassempouy, also called la Dame à la Capuche (lady with the Hood), is part of the collection of the Musée des Antiquités Nationales (National Archaeological Museum) in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France.

[Hope-unwv]

It turned out to be really pretty. Perfect for keeping your hair from falling over your eyes, especially in summer time.

[gregaldworth]

I remain amazed at your abilities with natural fibres; equally amazing to think that 25, 000 years or so ago, a woman might have made a net just as you did for herself, her daughter or another girl or women and yet another person thought it significant enough to spend the time to capture her image with a piece of ivory and stone tools.

[ThePhantazmya]

I definitely read it as some sort of headdress because of the way the lines converge on the crown. I think if it were braids the lines would be continuous from the forehead all the down the back of the head. As it is I see the headdress made of 2 main parts, a sort of shell shaped bit that sits on the top of the head and then a curtain that hangs down from the edge of the top portion. I can imagine it decorated with shells or other beads and maybe tassels of wool or feathers to give it weight, movement, and color. Of course that is only my imagination without any sort of evidence.

[cathjj]

I got to see the original in St. Germain en Laye. When you go to the museum there, normally you only get to see a copy. But I was part of a group that was allowed into the locked, private room where the finder's collections were kept in their 19th C. display cases. In art history classes I saw full-page images of the Venus and thought it was a bust, not having paid attention to its dimensions. But in fact, it is very tiny, smaller than a golf ball. I can imagine it being cradled lovingly in the palm of a hand, and put into a small pouch when heading off to the next encampment.

[Witchydigit]

Might be because I work food service, but the first glimpse of the bust had my brain saying "ah, yes, an ancient hair net, obviously." Could it not be a softer netting that's meant to encapsulate the hair and keep it out of the way while, say, cooking or cleaning? Keeps hair out of the food, as well as out of the fire, sincewe all know long hair and open flame don't mix very well. And generally up not in danger of falling into any mucky business tending to anything else.

Love the information on the channel, by the way. Exactly the kinds of things I'm interested in, in a practical sense.

[varde]

Fascinating :) I'm again amazed how You can go from something that looks like handful of hay, to a wearable, functional piece of garment.

[claesfranzen]

I love your use of natural fibres. I was using nettle fiber to make small cordage this fall with my 6 year olds st work. Som stinging was to be had, but nevertheless a fun project for kids to see where "we all started".

So now they keep talking about how we can use forest "string". Whenever we find ourselves needing rope or string.

Great job and awesome tutorials.

[janetseager]

As you I putting this together I am reminded of the snood, which probably had many names, that was used to contain women's hair down the ages
The design connection appears quite strong

[karenbailey]

So fascinating, I had thought they were braids, but after reading the comments and looking at your finished net, I can see how it could be a net. Thank you for sharing.

[EKA-jf]

That is the way I had always interpreted that artifact. Just right!

[bonniehyden]

I've only just found you today, Sally. ...and I'm fascinated! Since I was a child I might find myself trying to weave or braid pieces of limber bark or pine needles or small vines or whatever! Just playing around in idle moments. Now, you are showing me that I was almost on to something! I've only recently discovered that the pesky "weeds" (nettles) that plague our E. Texas property...and that I desperately wanted to eradicate...are super nutritious. Now...you have shown me yet another use for nettles! What we call stinging nettles (or horse nettles) don't seem to grow nearly as tall as yours: maybe 8-12". The tallest nettle we have is what we call Bull Nettles. The stalk is much bigger in diameter (3/4"-1") but I've seen them grow 2-3 feet tall. Is there a possibility those could be used for fibers, too? ...or am I going to have to experiment with those on my own? lol

[audreydeneui]

The technique of adding in more fiber to the twisted cord, especially when starting the cross rows to make the squares, reminds me a bit of making zig-zaggy gum wrapper chains in elementary school.

[melissamenchaca]

Hopefully this will be graced by the YouTube algorithm soon. It’s utterly fascinating

[kindafoggy]

The carving almost has a quilted, puffy look to the squares in the plaits. If it were plaited/interwoven with strips of rabbit fur would have that puffy look and give it a more practical winter headdress application.

[jsa-z]

This is beautiful! Made from nettles… you’ve done an amazing job, Sally.

[thelogan]

@Sally Pointer
According to Wikipedia

At least one of the drawings is by an artist named Libor Balák.

[Mommamacnz]

This was super interesting to watch and the finished net was really pretty - far prettier than I ever thought nettles could be. I can also see a fancier one done with feathers, shells and flowers woven into it.

[DeniseSchultz]

What I love best is that it brings the original alive! I’ve always wanted to connect with my foremothers in herbalism, and this hand and heart knowledge of plant use feels like that. Thank you so much, for your patience and exploration.

[onegreenev]

As usual, amazing work. While I was watching I had a thought of a head piece with shells interwoven within the openings. So collect a bunch of shells similar in size that would fit within all the openings. Drill two holes on each side near the narrow end of the shell large enough to string through the nettle then continue interweaving until all the shells are placed. I think it would look fabulous. End result would be a shell cap. :)

[grannysue]

This head-dress reminds me of a period re-enactment on film, where the bride wore a similar item made with gold wire and gold beads at the junctions. Fascinating!