Meaning ❉ Archaeological Hair Combs are historical artifacts, providing a clear glimpse into the long-standing practices of textured hair care across various civilizations. Their diverse designs, often crafted from bone, wood, or ivory, reveal early understandings of coily, kinky, and wavy hair structures, highlighting the need for specialized tools to manage density and prevent breakage. These combs represent foundational elements of hair care systematization, demonstrating how ancestral communities developed structured approaches to daily hair management, from precise sectioning to gentle detangling. The enduring principles observed in their construction—such as widely spaced teeth for detangling or fine teeth for precise parting—offer practical guidance, informing current approaches to maintaining the health and neatness of Black and mixed-race hair. Contemplating these ancient implements allows us to appreciate the continuous ingenuity applied to managing highly structured hair, connecting contemporary routines to a rich, unbroken lineage of care.
