Sea-silk, a very precious and rare material, is made of the silky fibres, called byssus, of the. The goal of this article is to find further objects and to present an identification method. The 'Project: Sea Silk' at the Natural History Museum in Basel is tracing the history of sea-silk and is compiling an inventory of still existing objects made of this almost forgotten textile material. In the following, I analyse the translation history of possible sea-silk terms from Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Chinese and Arabic sources from the 1st to the 15th century, and also Italian and French sources from the 14th and 15th century. We find textiles mentioning in paraphrases as having a marine origin and/or from a mollusc вЂ“ but all these definitions have to be carefully examined in context before thinking of sea-silk. Many myths and legends in different languages and in different cultures allude to sea-silk. We do not know where it came from, nor how it was named. The oldest surviving sea-silk item is a knitted cap found in Saint-Denis, France, dated 14th century. In fact, in ancient literature the Greek term ОІПЌПѓПѓОїП‚ and the Latin term byssus never meant sea-silk. In 16th century, naturalists named this beard of molluscs вЂbyssusвЂ™, in analogy to the finest linen byssus in antiquity вЂ“ this fact is the origin of many false interpretations in modern times.

The first written evidence originates from 2nd century CE, the first material evidence from 4th century CE. One of the rarest fabrics was sea-silk, a textile material coming from the fibrous вЂbeardвЂ™ of the marine mollusc Pinna nobilis L. A multitude of descriptive terms were given to different textiles, be it by their raw material, their way of manufacture, or the place of production. They were a status symbol as dress or interior decoration, important for gift exchanges, used in religious and ceremonial contexts and even collected as an investment. Notice something wrong with this record? Or, do you have something to add? Report it using our online form.Exquisite fabrics played an important role in ancient and Middle Ages societies around the Mediterranean. The CDN 21/10/44В reported Major Poile had been posted to No.5 Civil Affairs Group of the British Liberation Army then in Belgium. Was awarded the Efficiency Decoration, in October 1944, and Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was located in Holland and then stationed in Hamburg, Germany in charge of a relief detachment in the allied Military Government. In England he received special training in Administrative work and shortly after the invasion of the continent was posted to Belgium where he served with Military Gov. Major Poile served with the Kents on the West Coast until 1943 when he proceeded overseas. He was in Chatham to spend a week with his family before leaving for the west coast to rejoin the Kent regt.

The CDN 1/03/43В reported that Major Poile was completing a senior officers course in Kingston. In December of 1942 Major Poile had returned to Chatham from Kingston on a Christmas leave with his wife and son. Reported as a company commander in the Kent Regt.

Prior to his enlistment he was an optometrist, graduate of the London Befractory Hospital in London. Previous Military Experience: Served with the Kent Regiment (MG)

Kilometre a poile