Convex Loom Weights in the Akarçay Basin and its Surroundings

The Akarçay basin and its surrounding mountainous areas have long been vital for livestock activities and wool and textile production, both in the Bronze Ages and today. Spindle whorls and loom weights discovered in this basin serve as tangible evidence of the high-quality craftsmanship in wool and textile production. Notably, the loom weights, often referred to as “crescent-shaped loom weights” but here termed “convex loom weights,” represent a special material group related to Bronze Age production. These textile loom weights are crucial elements and evidence of Bronze Age textile production, encountered in many settlements throughout the northwest–southeast oriented basin. The Bolvadin Üçhöyük settlement, where these loom weights are intense, is a key hub for production and trade in the area. These loom weights are divided into different groups based on their form, with the “crescent-shaped” ones being the most prevalent. These artifacts significantly enhance our understanding of wool and textile production, as well as livestock activities in the region.