Page 11 - J. C. Turner "History and Science of Knots"

Preface Xi

Part I contains four essays which deal with evidences of knots in Prehis-
tory and Antiquity. First, evidence of knotting from the Pleistocene period
is presented and discussed: speculations are made on what knots would be the
first to be used, and how they might have been thought of in the first place.
Then evidence from various archaeological sites in Europe is treated. Finally,
discoveries of cordwork and knots on articles found at sites of ancient Egyptian
settlements are described.
Part II is entitled Non-European Traditions . It contains essays on the
Peruvian Quipu, Chinese knotting and Inuit (Eskimo) Knots.
Working Knots is the title of Part III; its two essays deal with seamen's
and fishermen's knots, and life support knots. The last name was coined by
the author of the essay, who groups under its banner a variety of specialist
knots and ropes used for activities such as tree and rock climbing, caving, and
mountaineering; he has studied the histories of development of these knotting
applications.
As noted above, Part IV is devoted to the relatively recent history of
attempts to study properties of knots, to model them mathematically, and
to place them into some kind of a theoretical framework; we place these five
essays under the tentative heading Towards a Science of Knots?
Finally, in Part V we have grouped, under the title Decorative Knots
and Other Aspects , five essays which deal with historical aspects of different
types of decorative knotting-the uses of knots as adornments, as signs in her-
aldry, and for the making of attractive clothing and other articles of aesthetic
value.
As far as we are aware, this is the first time that a comprehensive study
of the history of knots and knotting has been attempted. Normally the topic
is dealt with selectively, in a very few pages, at the beginnings of manuals
of knots, instruction books for lace, macrame or other forms of knotting, or
else at the ends of texts on knot theory. We hope that our book will provide
something of interest to all who have occasion to use or study knots. Perhaps
one of our readers will be encouraged to build upon this collection of essays,
and produce the encyclopaedia that is really necessary if the whole field of the
history of knots is to be covered.
We believe that knots in all of their forms constitute a subject most
worthy of serious treatment; indeed, in Part IV the argument is put that
they already form the basis of a science. This science will grow steadily as
theoretical modelling is aimed at a wider range of knot problems, and as more
applications arise in other sciences.
The story is told of how in ancient Greece, at Gordium, the chief city of
Phrygia, Alexander the Great attempted to unravel the Gordian knot which
held fast a famous chariot bound in cords made of the rind of a cornel tree.
According to tradition, anyone succeeding in this task would become ruler of