Simple technological improvements for the Bronze Age?

Interesting! The article points up being able to use shorter strands for this technique. I wonder if plays into using hand twisted threads vs longer wheel or distaff/spindle spun threads?
Could be and is more like you HAVE to use shorter strand for this technique, my wife is learning how to and have to cut the skein in shorter strand to nailbinding the hat she is making, the how short depend on the person, using this technique have some advantages apart to give an use to short strands, in case of a cut or hole in the fabric the nailbinding textile will not unmake itslef as could happen with a crochet or a knitting one, and is technically less demanding that the other forms, but is slower than knitting and less capable of make a tigth fabric like you could with crochet
 
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Iron smelting requires the invention of the bellows. Youtuber Primitive Technology invented a bow bellows using stone age tech. Of all the clever bellows designs out there, I’m surprised no one tried using the turbine historically.

 

Kaze

Banned
Here is one that might be useful --- the alphabet and the printing press. Both could be invented using bronze age tech. End result - more educated people
 
It's not a technological development, but it might improve conditions: hedgerows. AIUI, turning over a strip just 1m wide in a field to shrubs, kept trimmed, will improve biodiversity & improve productivity.

One other idea: multicropping. Most farms today plant a single crop in each row. It's perfectly feasible to plant several, which don't compete for water or nutrients, including (frex) a nitrogen-fixer (legume?) & maize. It increases output several times, without increasing the amount of land needed. It can also improve pest resistance, if the right crops are intermixed.

A final thought: "biowarfare" against pests. Like surrounding maize fields with a belt of plants that attract corn pests. (I know there is one, but can't think of the name...:oops: ) Or with one that's poisonous.
 

trurle

Banned
It's not a technological development, but it might improve conditions: hedgerows. AIUI, turning over a strip just 1m wide in a field to shrubs, kept trimmed, will improve biodiversity & improve productivity.

One other idea: multicropping. Most farms today plant a single crop in each row. It's perfectly feasible to plant several, which don't compete for water or nutrients, including (frex) a nitrogen-fixer (legume?) & maize. It increases output several times, without increasing the amount of land needed. It can also improve pest resistance, if the right crops are intermixed.

A final thought: "biowarfare" against pests. Like surrounding maize fields with a belt of plants that attract corn pests. (I know there is one, but can't think of the name...:oops: ) Or with one that's poisonous.
For Bronze Age, limiting factor was available labour, not the available land. Techniques you propose are work-intensive, and therefore likely not competitive.
 
For Bronze Age, limiting factor was available labour, not the available land. Techniques you propose are work-intensive, and therefore likely not competitive.
I could see the first being too much trouble. The third, no, because that's a "plant & forget" each season, really.

The second, especially no, because the work to tend one crop is applied just the same regardless. It's not like you ignore a second or third crop when you tend what would otherwise be a single crop. Or am I missing something? (In case I wasn't clear, I didn't mean three fields & rotating, I meant all three in one.)
 

trurle

Banned
The second, especially no, because the work to tend one crop is applied just the same regardless. It's not like you ignore a second or third crop when you tend what would otherwise be a single crop. Or am I missing something? (In case I wasn't clear, I didn't mean three fields & rotating, I meant all three in one.)
For multi-cropping, you mix more productive plants with less productive, resulting in less calories per work input. Productivity increase for mixed crops do not materialize for rich soils produced by slash-and-burn fertilization method typical for Bronze Age. Same for biological pest control (fire was more effective for wiping out pests).
 
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