Excavations at a Minoan-era settlement on the island of Rhodes have uncovered a specialized 'Loom Room' containing dozens of ornate terracotta loom weights. Researchers believe this facility was dedicated to weaving the 'Peplos,' or sacred robe, presented to deities during seasonal festivals.
Chemical analysis of the weights revealed traces of rare purple dye and gold thread, suggesting the garments produced here were of the highest ritual significance. This find suggests that the elaborate textile-offering festivals later famous in Classical Athens had much older, Minoan-influenced origins in the Aegean islands.