Decades of archaeological projects at Gamla Lödöse have generated a wealth of finds which includes a large collection of textiles and artifacts related to textile crafts. This thesis illustrates how textile related finds have been presented in previous research, and suggests new approaches by which the artifacts can be further explored. Archaeological practices through archival records and published works are discussed, as these practices in themselves create and maintain the artifacts. Finally, this thesis discusses how the concepts of materiality and chaîne opératoire can be applied to gain a deeper understanding of the social aspects of textile related finds and medieval life in Gamla Lödöse.

The complex process of manufacturing woolen textiles contains a long chain of cooperation between resources, techniques and society. With a focus on South and Central Sweden, this study aims to trace the development of woolen textiles and its manufacture, how and why it changed and obtained an increased meaning from the Early Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age. Archaeological biography and materiality are used as theoretical concepts to firstly explore how textile tools, sheep husbandry and woolen textiles changed in occurrence and appearance over time and space. Secondly, by comparing these results, the study analyzes how the different source materials may have affected each other towards the advancement of woolen textiles. The results suggest that a successive increase of sheep among settlements, caused by probably ecological and/or economic factors, possibly led to an increase in wool that sparked the textile development with the creation of more advanced tools and techniques for making woolen textiles in a gradually higher quality. The relationships between people and woolen textiles, as well as its components of manufacture, also seems to have altered during the investigated period, sometimes probably due to influences from the outside world.