Index Dutch Bronze Age Index first farmers in the Netherlands Deze bladzijde is ook in het Nederlands beschikbaar! Colouring the wool blue with woad and colouring yellow with birch Weaving, from flax to linen and colouring wool Colouring wool yellow or green with birch At least from the Bronze Age on, the colouring of wool was well-advanced. We know from some colours, how they were obtained, but the colour blue had been a riddle for a long time.  It was known from the literature that the plant woad (isatis tinctoria) was used, and also that during the process the fermentation was also needed. Chemical research further revealed important facts so we now know how to make the color blue in a prehistoric way.  Harvest the woad, cut it in pieces and let it fermentate. The result is a clay-like ball whcih has to dry and then can be traded Place the ball(s) in a "woad-bath" for 1 or 2 days, add bran and a lot of water. Adding nadder could stimulate the fermentation. The result is a yellow/greenish fluid. Place the white wool (which might have required a previous staining treatment, like with old urine or with onion skins) in the fluid (but not more than 10 counts!) When you take out the wool, it will colour blue, right before your eyes! Of course the last step sounds "magical" and therefore this result would have been an incredible, magical, experience for the superstious Iron Age (wo)men! This experience could also enlarge the status of the weaver.... The exact process requires more research so the process can be refined. The following facts are not quite known: The temperature and time of the fermentation (less than 55 oC) All data about the nadder (quantity, which part should be used) Colouring yellow/green with birch The wool can be coloured with onion skins but this is not a lasting method because the colour will vanish after about one year.  A better method is: Gather thin birch branches with leaves Pulverize them and place them in a jar with water (a copper jar produces yellow, and iron cauldron produces a green colour) Place the jar / cauldron near a low fire for 1 day; the water may boil now and than and stirring is allowed but not required Poor the extract into another jar Place the wool (which requires a previous staining treatment, like with old urine or with onion skins) in it for 2 days and heat it twice a day   Writer / editor