Projects and Science

Australia

ABT

Australia spindles are simply made of a spindle stick and one or two crossbars. In the desert regions the aborigines spun human hair and the fur of small rabbit-like marsupials known as bilbies, as well as wallaby fur. More recently rabbit fur and camel´s wool replaced the traditional fibers as the introduced animals spread rapidly across the continent.

see: Australian Aboriginal Fibrecraft (Wikipedia)

Australia, spindle 2 — *Spindle made of two parts. The spindle parts consist of a slender cylindrical rod, and a flat crosspiece with pointed ends.*

Australia, Warlpiri man spinning — *A Warlpiri man spinning ''Wirriji'' or hairstring from human hair with a simple spindle rolled on the thigh.*

Australia, ropes of human hair — *Heavily greased and ochred ropes of human hair which are worn around the neck and waist at initiation ceremonies in Central Australia.*

McCourt, Aboriginal Artefacts — Image from: Tom **McCourt**, Aboriginal Artefacts (Adelaide 1975) p. 72.