Making a Neolithic Netting Shuttle from Antler, and using it with Nettle Cordage.

Netting shuttles or needles and associated gauge sticks can be traced back into prehistory. One unusually shaped version is associated with the Neolithic and early Bronze Age in Europe. I'm making a version out of red deer antler and testing it on some stinging nettle cordage.

[historybuff]

I love the phrase: primitive does not mean stupid. Neolithic people were intellegent and problem solvers wtih some elegent solutions, like the netting shuttle you made. I especially like how you can make the cordage as you go.

[markedis]

21:10 I’m more than happy to just listen to you speak about the Neolithic and would be happy to watch hour or more long videos. I love learning about old techniques.

[ThisSmallGnome]

"There is no string police." Loved this. I was so excited when I saw you had posted a new video and you did not disappoint!

Also, im incredibly jealous of your antler collection.

[GrainneDhub-llvw]

I suddenly realised how often I look at things from a mass production point of view without realising it. Why not make cordage as you go rather than first making enough estimated cordage before beginning the project? I love those moments that jar me out of my 21st century viewpoint into seeing the world through a very different set of assumptions. Thank you so much.

[ArtemensiaK]

I saw "Sally pointer uploaded..." and was jumping up and down in my chair. Love it! Now I watch it.

[szbyzan]

Thank you for this video. I did have a laugh when you said 'in the usual way.'. So many recipe books will be telling you what to put in and then say 'in the usual way' or 'in the usual manner' ... And since we are reading history and don't know what the usual manner was back then. We get left with big vague splotches and they didn't leave us videos to show the usual mundane manner they are too bored of to write down.

[Hippiechick]

For some reason I remember in my archeology class when we realized that the original plows were scapulas and plows are still shaped this way and so many current tools are still based in antiquity.

[ingeleonora-denouden]

Somewhere in your video it suddenly occured to me: of course! There's not need to make a 'shuttle' where a lot of yarn (twine, cordage, string, whatever) can be wound on. You're making cordage as you go!

[IslandHermit]

I've found that it pays to get the fibers as clean as possible, even when making rope. Leftover chaff tends to act as grit which wears down the fibers faster.

[Worldbuilder]

The needle is probably also a lot easier to make using neolithic tools and antler than the “modern” style, and the modern style also requires you to have made large quantities of fine cord before beginning; this one does much more lend itself to being easily mobile and functional when making cordage as you go along. I imagine this would have been a thing one could have easily occupied oneself with around the fire in the evening, as it doesn’t rely very much on sight.

[Max-ekdn]

Everytime i try and learn something about some prehistoric technology, i sooner or later always end up on your channel. Thank you so much for posting all these, its so nice to have the ability to look something up that interests you and getting answers, thx for providing tgem

[robertc]

Holy Cow! I just found your channel while trying to make soap. Beyond that - fascinating!

[Rouverius]

The material used seems to me to give clues about the design of the first needles that were then refined to the one you replicated. Maybe originally they were made from thin antler with the marrow removed. Then, the front and back could be cut away to expose the eye of the needle.
Anyway, thanks for another charming and educational video!

[AddictedYarn]

Ever since I read Clan of the Cave Bears a a young teenager and then, over the years following, the rest of the Earth's Children series I've been obsessed with tools and functional items grim that time. It really interests me and I love your videos Sally. I would love to see you uploading more often as you always make everything so easy to understand and extremely interesting!

[jennifergamble]

Someone should pay you to do a domentary series.

[maggietaylor]

Amazing, inspiring, informative.... I could go on and on. Thankyou for sharing all your interests and skills. ❤

[yetanotherentity]

This is brilliant! Great to see you in 2024!
So crazy story, but about 30 years ago, i found a bone bird that was in exactly this shape and size. It was for sale in a thrift shop in California. Someone had drilled (very obviously more recent than the rest of the carving which was so old i decided immediately i had to own it) a tiny hole through the bottom of the loop part (its wings), and plonked it on a metal wire stuck in a stand. The result was it had a stand and appeared to be flying, sort of.

I always wondered what it had originally been, and why it had such an unusual shape... and who saw a goose or swan in that shape and decided to etch it into the bone.

I'll never know who, but now i know (eead: suspect without verification) that it was an ancient netting shuttle!!

[sunriseeyes]

Your videos always bring me so much joy and inspiration. Thank you for sharing your experiments with us. I love the slow, intentional tool and fiber making 🧶🙏🏽💗

[johnsullivan]

As always, so educational! So entertaining as well. Thank you!😊

[poetessaloud]

I love everything you are able to create.i have been inspired to make myself a set of net making tools.thankyou so much sally.i wish you well.