Comb-Making in Medieval Novgorod (950-1450): An industry in transition: An industry in transition

This research is based on the comb assemblages from 18 excavation sites, which cover over 80% of the excavated area of Medieval Novgorod (950-1450 AD), Russia. The work outline the chronological trends and stylistic changes in combs themselves and in their relationship to the immediate environment of the properties they originate from, as well as to broader contexts of the town and the entire complex urban community. The research also uses these objects for drawing out the fundamental changes of the comb-making industry in its transition from the late Viking Age and through the Middle Ages and as a background to the development of the urban society. The comb finds are analysed typologically and contextually and the databases are presented in the 'additional material' download. Many hundred of bone and antler combs have been uncovered during half a century of excavation at the medieval settlement of Novgorod in Russia. Recovered from sites across the city, and spanning its entire medieval history, the combs reveal much about the changes in comb-making during the transition from the Viking to medieval period, while their archaeological provenance contributes to our understanding of the cultural and economic development of Novgorod. At the heart of the study is a detailed, illustrated typology of combs, along with analyses of their distribution, their decoration, the bone material, the location of possible industrial centres and chronological changes in design. Additional data is presented on a CD. Front Cover Title Page Copyright Table of Contents List of Figures List of Tables Acknowledgements A Note on Data, Illustrations, Spellings and References Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Combs, Comb-Making, Comb-Makers and Comb-Users in Novgorod Chapter 3: Single-Sided Composite Combs and Comb Cases Chapter 4: Simple Combs in Skeletal Materials Chapter 5: Wooden Simple Combs Chapter 6: Double-Sided Composite Combs Chapter 7: Conclusions: Comb-Making Activities in Novgorod. Historical Models of the Industrial Development in Connection with Social and Cultural Development Within the Town Glosssary References List of Abbreviations A Guide to Databases "The Appendix is comprised of the Databases A, B, C and D on the main classes of comb material is [sic] recorded on a CD[-ROM] attached to the back of the book."--Page xiii Lyubov Smirnova. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 322-330). System Requirements For Accompanying Cd-rom: Ibm-pc Or Equivalent ; Microsoft Excel ; Cd-rom Drive.