Appendix A

Worked-Vegetal Materials

by Karen R. Adams

1

All of the worked-vegetal materials recovered from Sand Canyon Pueblo (Site 5MT765) were examined and photographed at the Crow Canyon environmental archaeology lab, July 24–29, 1997, by Karen R. Adams and Crow Canyon environmental archaeology volunteers. The results of this analysis are presented here. Some materials from Room 1205 had been previously described by Mark Hovezak, and plant taxonomic identifications were made by Richard Fleming and Hovezak. These previously described materials were reexamined in 1997 and the original identifications and descriptions were reviewed and revised as necessary for this appendix.

2

Most of the items described below were recovered as individual artifacts in the field. For the few items recovered from flotation analysis, processing methods were adapted from those outlined by Bohrer and Adams (1977*1:37–39). Botanical remains were floated from archaeological sediments directly into a set of graduated screens having 4.75-mm, 2.8-mm, 1.4-mm, 0.71-mm, and 0.25-mm mesh, eliminating the need for a separate dry screening of the recovered light fraction. Use of this method obviated the need for handling the fragile materials twice.

3

The remainder of this appendix is devoted to detailed descriptions of the worked-vegetal materials from Sand Canyon Pueblo. Specimens are listed in order by study unit number and by PD (provenience designation), FS (field specimen), and, when applicable, PL (point location) number.

Specimen Descriptions

Kiva 102

Modified Wood

PD 17, FS 20 (whole study unit, Stratum 1)

Description: charred, pointed stick fragment

Taxon: Chrysothamnus-type

Size/shape: 30 x 10 mm, tapering to 3 mm at pointed end

Photo(s): Database Photo 3868

Corner Room 116

Worked Wood

PD 139, FS 2, PL 6 (whole study unit, full cut, Feature 25, Stratum 1)

Description: uncharred, worked wood fragment

Taxon: Pinus-type

Size/shape: 50 x 25 x 4 mm, cut to form a slab; a second, similar piece measures 29 x 20 x 4 mm

Kiva 306

Wood Artifact(?)

PD 113, FS 4, PL 3 (whole study unit, Stratum 2)

Description: uncharred wood artifact(?)

Taxon: Juniperus-type

Size/shape: 70 x 32 x 12 mm; rectangular

Comments: Appears to have been cut to this shape.

Photo(s): Database Photo 3870

Kiva 501

Fiber Bundles

PD 388, FS 259, PL 167 (whole study unit, Stratum 2)

Description: mass of burned fiber bundles 

Taxon: Monocotyledon-type

Room 810

Knotted(?) Fiber

PD 1245, FS 2, PL 2 (Segment 1, Surface 1)

Description: burned leaf fragments

Taxon: Yucca-type

Comments: One possibly knotted.

Kiva 1004

Knotted Fiber

PD 663, FS 12 (whole study unit, Feature 15, Stratum 1)

Description: large, burned fibrous knot

Taxon: unidentified (possibly Artemisia-type bark)

Size/shape: 65 x 35 x 20 mm

Tower 1008

Cordage

PD 860, FS 66, PL 104 (whole study unit, Surface 1)

Description: burned, two-ply fiber cordage

Taxon: Yucca-type

Size/shape: 36 x 3 mm

Comments: Individual strands are S-twist; whole cord is Z-twist.

Photo(s): Database Photo 3874

Room 1205

Basketry Plaque

PD 246, FS 1, PL 7 (whole study unit, Surface 1) 

Description: uncharred, coiled basketry plaque lacking painted designs

Taxon: broken ends reveal the wood to be Rhus aromatica–type (new growth—cut within first season of growth); stitching of 1- to 2-mm-wide Rhus-type twig strips

Size/shape: round in plan view; diameter 16 cm; average thickness 6.4 mm

Comments: Artifact is extremely fragile. Construction is of close coiling (Morris and Burgh 1941*1:Figure 2), with three-rod bunched foundation and noninterlocking stitches (Adovasio 1977*1:61, Figure 69a). No intentional split stitches (Morris and Burgh 1941*1:Figure 2) were observed, although occasional unintentional splits are present. Coiling is counterclockwise from the center, with six to seven coils per 4 cm, or five per inch, and six stitches per cm along coil foundations. Approximately half of the outermost coil foundation is present with 2-cm retaining intact self-rim stitches (Morris and Burgh 1941*1:22, Figure 7f). Generally, coil foundations are about 2 mm thick by 3 mm wide. Morris and Burgh (1941*1:28) believed that Pueblo III basketry plaques may have served as pot lids and, secondarily, as replacements of worn-out basket bottoms. (Specimen originally identified and described by Mark Hovezak and Rich Fleming.)

Analysis notes: Sediments from excavation of the basketry plaque were sorted by hand to collect any easily visible materials that might have been associated. Only tiny fragments of prehistoric basketry stitching materials and modern root hairs were recovered in the preliminary sort of the sediment sample. The sediments were then put through a sample splitter that divided them in half without regard to particle size. One half of the sorted sediments, 32 g, was then floated to collect any small vegetal specimens that might be present. The remaining half was curated with the basketry artifact. Nothing was recovered from the two larger screens. A small amount of basket stitching material, etc., was removed from the 1.4-mm screen.

Photo(s): Database Photo 3197, Database Photo 3891

Gourd Vessel

PD 252, FS 3, PL 9 (whole study unit, Stratum 3)

Description: numerous uncharred pieces of a bottle gourd

Taxon: Lagenaria siceraria–type, based on a comparison to the criteria of Cutler and Whitaker (1961*1:479) and on the bottle shape (somewhat distorted due to desiccation) of the specimen as reconstructed

Size/shape: roughly pear shaped; when oriented with the aperture up: height 12.5 cm; maximum diameter 10.5 cm; wall thickness 2.65 mm (+ about 1 mm); internal chamber volume approximately 2,389 cm³

Comments: Materials are extremely fragile. Reconstructed specimen has an irregular, 2.1-cm aperture made by cutting a hole in the peduncle end of the gourd and removing the stem. The edges of this opening are somewhat smooth. Epidermal tissues remain on approximately half of the gourd's surface. No other modifications or evidence of use are present. (Specimen originally identified and described by Mark Hovezak and Rich Fleming.)

Analysis notes: When the vessel was reconstructed, many of the fragments were pieced together and stabilized; pieces not refitted were placed in an envelope taped to the inside wall of the storage box. Sediments from excavation of the gourd vessel were collected to see what they might contain. They were recovered from the inside of the gourd and from around and between the flattened gourd pieces in Stratum 3. These sediments were examined in the lab and found to contain abundant uncharred organic remains. A sort was done to remove any easily observable items. These included seeds, small wood fragments (Juniperus-type), small bone fragments, possible insect frass (excrement or debris), possible burned adobe fragments, and perhaps other items. The excavator reports considerable old and recent rodent disturbance in the vicinity of this artifact (Bradley 1987*1:71). The sediments were then passed through a sample splitter, and half were passed through twice. The resulting 75 percent subsample (500 ml; 615 g) of the original sediment sample was then floated. The other quarter subsample of the original sediment sample was curated with the gourd.

Photo(s): Database Photo 3202 

Modified Twig 

PD 253, FS 11 (whole study unit, Surface 2)

Description: modified twig, in three pieces; one end is rounded from abrasion and the other is broken

Taxon: unidentified

Size/shape: combined length of fragments is 16.9 cm; maximum diameter near the broken end is 5.6 mm; diameter at 1 cm from the tip is 4.2 mm and at the tip is 3.0 x 3.8 mm, due to the rounded shape of the tip; twig is almost straight but has two very slight bends

Comments: No patterns of wear are visible on the tip. Shallow striations have been worn into the twig surface parallel to the long axis within 3 cm of the tip. A 1-cm-wide ring of light abrasion is present 6 cm up from the rounded end. Other, very small and more heavily abraded, patches occur sporadically more than 6 cm from the rounded end. Nodal areas are abraded flush with the remaining twig surface. (Specimen originally identified and described by Mark Hovezak and Rich Fleming.)

Photo(s): Database Photo 3892

Modified Twig

PD 253, FS 12 (whole study unit, Surface 2)

Description: modified twig, in two pieces

Taxon: Cercocarpus-type

Size/shape: refitted pieces have a combined length of 23.5 cm and taper in diameter from 7 mm at the butt end to 2.3 mm at the tip; diameter 1 cm from the pointed tip is 4 mm

Comments: The lightly burned butt end has been smoothed flat, perpendicular to the main axis of the twig; the twig exterior is superficially charred for 7 mm in from the surface. Portions of the charred exterior have exfoliated, resulting in a patchy surface appearance. The tip itself has been worked into a 2.2-x-2.4-mm ridge that creates an ellipsoidal cross section 1 mm toward the butt end. Several extremely shallow striations parallel the long axis of the twig within 1.5 cm of the tip. (Specimen originally identified and described by Mark Hovezak and Rich Fleming.)

Photo(s): Database Photo 3892

Modified Twig

PD 253, FS 13 (whole study unit, Surface 2)

Description: uncharred twig fragment; worked into a point at one end and broken on the other

Taxon: Cercocarpus-type

Size/shape: length 9.3 cm; ovate to elliptical in cross section, tapering gently in thickness from 3.5 x 5.3 mm near the broken end to 2.8 x 3.7 mm at a distance 1 cm from the tip; tip measures 1.3 x 1.8 mm

Comments: The twig tip has been modified only very slightly. (Specimen originally identified and described by Mark Hovezak and Rich Fleming.)

Photo(s): Database Photo 3897

Basketry Fragments

PD 253, FS 14 (whole study unit, Surface 2)

Description: four uncharred fragments of coiled basketry

Taxon: unidentified dicotyledon twig with Rhus aromatica–type stitches

Size/shape: coil fragments are 4.0, 2.8, 1.8, and 1.7 cm long; diameter of foundation rods ranges from 2.8 to 3.3 mm; stitches are 1.4 to 1.9 mm in width

Comments: Each fragment is from a coiled basket with a single, split-rod foundation type. None of these fragments contains more than one coil. (Specimen originally identified and described by Mark Hovezak and Rich Fleming.)

Photo(s): Database Photo 3898

Modified Twig

PD 253, FS 15 (whole study unit, Surface 2)

Description: uncharred, modified twig fragment, in two pieces

Taxon: Cercocarpus-type

Size/shape: length 4.3 cm; one end is pointed, and the opposite end is broken; broken end diameter is 5.9 mm; pointed tip measures 1.5 x 3.3 mm and appears bladelike; twig diameter is 6.2 mm, 5.5 mm, and 4.1 mm at distances from the tip of 20 mm, 11 mm, and 3 mm, respectively; original artifact length is unknown

Comments: The pointed end has been abraded for 18 mm along the twig length beginning 2 mm from the tip. It is evenly tapered for this distance, the diameter becoming smaller towards the tip. The taper increases dramatically for the final 3 mm, where cutting from two sides formed the tip. (Specimen originally identified and described by Mark Hovezak and Rich Fleming.)

Photo(s): Database Photo 3898

Modified Twig

PD 253, FS 16 (whole study unit, Surface 2)

Description: partially charred, modified twig fragment, in two pieces

Taxon: Cercocarpus-type

Size/shape: length 3.7 cm; maximum thickness 14 x 13 mm, measured 2 cm from the tip; one end is rounded from abrasion, and the other has been broken and charred

Comments: The lack of charring at the rounded end may indicate working of that end subsequent to charring. The tip was produced by abrasion of the twig within 1 cm of the rounded end. Dimensions and modification of this artifact fragment do not exclude it from the possible range of native Southwestern and ancestral Pueblo weaving tools (Magers 1986*1:251; Tanner 1976*1:55–56). It is possible that this item was used as a shed rod (Magers 1986*1:251). (Specimen originally identified and described by Mark Hovezak and Rich Fleming.)

Photo(s): Database Photo 3898

Split Twig

PD 253, FS 18 (whole study unit, Surface 2) 

Description: numerous uncharred fragments of split twig

Taxon: Rhus-type, Populus/Salix-type, and Juniperus-type

Size/shape: length 2.2 to 13.5 cm (average length 6.0 cm); diameter 5.1 to 7.6 mm (mean diameter of 6.7 mm for 23 pieces measured); 26 fragments were too small to warrant measurement

Comments: Many pieces had disintegrated into quarters and lost their bark covering. Twenty-nine halves retained bark. Numerous tiny fragments were also recovered. Nineteen of the larger fragments and many of the smaller ones were curved toward the split side, away from the bark-covered exterior, as if they had formed the foundation coils of a basket. (Specimen originally identified and described by Mark Hovezak and Rich Fleming.)

Photo(s): Database Photo 3899

Reedgrass Cigarettes

PD 253, FS 19 (whole study unit, Surface 2)

Description: numerous uncharred cigarette fragments and debris from manufacture or breakage of such cigarettes

Taxon: Phragmites australis–type

Size/shape: length 1.5 to 11.5 cm; diameter 0.3 to 1.0 cm; the best-preserved specimen measures 11.5 cm in length and 0.6 cm in diameter

Comments: Many of these specimens have flattened due to collapse of the tube. Since nearly all of the pieces display broken, rather than cut or finished ends, it is impossible to know the original length of each or the placement of the node along its length. No plant material was seen in any internodal section, although a few were filled with soil particles. Twenty of these specimens have features suggestive of reedgrass "cigarettes" (Adams 1990*1). A key feature is the presence of a single node (with internal septum) which serves as a dividing wall between two hollow internodal sections. A second key feature, a pierced septum, is present in three specimens; in each case, a single round or oval hole (about 2 mm in diameter) appears intentionally made in the center of the septum. Such holes could be easily made with a sharp cactus needle or yucca leaf tip. On the best-preserved specimen, noted above, the proximal end (the end closest to the point of attachment to the plant) corresponds to the "barrel" end where smoking material would presumably be put, while the distal end forms the "mouthpiece." The proximal end of this "cigarette" appears to have been cut.

Photo(s): Database Photo 3865, Database Photo 3866

Worked(?) Wood

PD 253, FS 20 (whole study unit, Surface 2)

Description: two wood fragments

Taxon: Juniperus-type

Size/shape: largest is 30 x 20 x 2 mm

Comments: Thin, flat pieces with smoothed(?) edges.

Photo(s): Database Photo 3870

Wood Slat

PD 253, FS 21, PL 7 (whole study unit, Surface 2)

Description: uncharred, split wooden slat with mostly parallel sides

Taxon: Juniperus-type

Size/shape: length 43.4 cm; width 2.2 to 3.4 cm (average 3.0 cm); thickness 5.5 to 12.2 mm (average 9.0 mm)

Comments: Specimen originally identified and described by Mark Hovezak and Rich Fleming.

Photo(s): Database Photo 3211, Database Photo 3895

Wood Sticks

PD 253, FS 22 (whole study unit, Surface 2)

Description: numerous sticks; mostly uncharred, some with charred ends

Taxon: unidentified 

Comments: Some may be modified. This lot of specimens remains to be examined in detail for evidence of modification and for taxonomic identification.

Split Wood

PD 253, FS 23, PL 2 (whole study unit, Surface 2)

Description: four fragments of an uncharred, fragile piece of split wood

Taxon: possibly Salix-type or Populus-type

Size/shape: 30 x 1.8 x 0.6 cm; one end has a rounded taper; the other end is broken

Comments: The item is a flattened oval in cross section and has two lines that may be remnants of paint or an organic stain. Item might be a bow fragment. (Specimen originally identified and described by Mark Hovezak and Rich Fleming.)

Photo(s): Database Photo 3204, Database Photo 3893

Modified Twig

PD 253, FS 24 (whole study unit, Surface 2)

Description: three uncharred fragments of a modified twig; pointed on one end, possibly by use or during production

Taxon: Cercocarpus-type

Size/shape: 31 x 0.8 cm

Comments: Fragment is fragile and twisted, possibly by warping. (Specimen originally identified and described by Mark Hovezak and Rich Fleming.)

Photo(s): Database Photo 3894

Wood Slat

PD 253, FS 28, PL 1 (whole study unit, Surface 2)

Description: nearly complete, split and smoothed wood slat, with parallel sides and flat ends; preserved in four uncharred fragments

Taxon: Populus/Salix-type

Size/shape: The artifact is 48.6 cm long, just over 4 cm wide, and averages 76 mm in thickness. It is almost complete, missing only a small chunk out of one corner. The intact end is 4 cm wide, and its corners have been slightly rounded. Away from the end, the artifact width is very uniform, ranging from 4.3 to 4.6 cm. Its ends are squared off, and all edges have been rounded. The long edges are different in average thickness. The thin edge averages 58 mm in thickness, and the thick edge averages 80 mm. A 35-mm-diameter groove, 6 mm long, has been worn into the thinner edge at an acute angle approximating 30 degrees in relation to the flat plane of the artifact surface.

Comments: Termites have damaged portions of one surface and the interior of this artifact. The other surface is indented from pressure against underlying objects, many of which remain embedded, and shows evidence of destructive root invasion. The artifact is somewhat wavy in appearance, though warping may have occurred from pressures of burial in alternating moisture conditions through time. The dimensions, shape, modification, and appearance are well within the range of native Southwestern and ancestral Pueblo weaving battens (Magers 1986*1:251; Tanner 1976*1:56). Similar artifacts have been found nearby at Mug House (Rohn 1971*1:228). Seventeen complete and fragmentary battens were recovered during excavations at Antelope House in Canyon del Muerto (Magers 1986*1:251). (Specimen originally identified and described by Mark Hovezak and Rich Fleming.)

Photo(s): Database Photo 3204

Arbitrary Unit 1213

Modified Wood 

PD 262, FS 1 (Segment 5, Stratum 1)

Description: burned, pointed stick

Taxon: Purshia-type

Size/shape: 60 x 7 mm, tapering to 2 mm at pointed end

Photo(s): Database Photo 3868

Modified Wood

PD 262, FS 2 (Segment 5, Stratum 1)

Description: burned, pointed stick

Taxon: Populus/Salix-type

Size/shape: 62 x 9 mm, tapering to 1 mm at pointed end

Photo(s): Database Photo 3868

Midden 1214

Modified Stem

PD 347, FS 116 (whole study unit, Stratum 1-Level 1)

Description: charred stem with one end ground to a point, plus several smaller fragments

Taxon: Ephedra-type

Size/shape: main fragment is 70 x 8 mm

Comments: Also present in FS 116, but not part of the artifact, is a smaller, charred fragment of Ephedra stem measuring 32 x 3 mm; the diameter is 5 mm at a knot in the middle.

Photo(s): Database Photo 3868

Sandal(?) Fragments

PD 359, FS 1 (whole study unit, Stratum 2)

Description: four, apparently contiguous, charred fragments of a twilled-leaf sandal(?)

Taxon: Yucca-type

Size/shape: 15 x 5 x 0.5 cm

Comments: Close technological study needed to obtain full, accurate description.

Photo(s): Database Photo 3876

Cordage

PD 359, FS 5 (whole study unit, Stratum 2)

Description: three charred fragments of double-stranded cordage

Taxon: Yucca-type

Size/shape: longest is about 50 x 2 mm (individual strands about 1 mm diameter)

Comments: Individual strands are S-twist; whole cord is Z-twist. Also present are charred fragments of what appears to be an insect case(?).

Photo(s): Database Photo 3874

Modified Vegetal Material

PD 359, FS 8 (whole study unit, Stratum 2)

Description: two charred, wadlike masses of fibrous leaf material

Taxon: Monocotyledon-type

Comments: Likely grass.

Cordage

PD 359, FS 182 (whole study unit, Stratum 2)

Description: three charred pieces of double-stranded fiber cordage

Taxon: Yucca-type

Size/shape: each about 40 x 2 mm (individual strands about 1 mm in diameter)

Comments: Individual strands are S-twist; whole cord is Z-twist.

Photo(s): Database Photo 3874

Modified Vegetal Material

PD 359, FS 196 (whole study unit, Stratum 2)

Description: charred fibrous strand of leaf, knotted at one end

Taxon: Yucca-type

Size/shape: length 145 mm; diameter at unknotted end 4 to 5 mm; dimensions at knotted end 5 x 9 mm

Photo(s): Database Photo 3872

Modified Wood

PD 359, FS 209 (whole study unit, Stratum 2)

Description: charred stick fragment, pointed at one end

Taxon: Cercocarpus-type

Size/shape: 35 x 7 mm

Photo(s): Database Photo 3868

Modified Wood

PD 359, FS 210 (whole study unit, Stratum 2)

Description: charred wood fragment

Taxon: Populus/Salix-type

Size/shape: length 33 mm; working(?) end section measures 7 x 5 mm; broken end section measures 9 x 5 mm; rounded-rectangular cross section, tapering slightly to blunt working(?) end

Photo(s): Database Photo 3868

Worked(?) Bark

PD 359, FS 237 (whole study unit, Stratum 2)

Description: partially burned strip of bark; curved and flat

Taxon: Juniperus-type

Size/shape: length 100 mm; maximum width 15 mm; thickness 4 to 5 mm

Comments: Appears to have been purposefully cut on both edges.

Photo(s): Database Photo 3870

Worked Wood

PD 359, FS 238 (whole study unit, Stratum 2) 

Description: thin, flat piece of lightly charred wood

Taxon: Juniperus-type

Size/shape: 80 x 14 x 1–2 mm

Comments: One edge appears cut.

Photo(s): Database Photo 3870

Nonstructure 1500

Basketry(?) Fragment

PD 1211, FS 7 (Segment 2, Stratum 4)

Description: charred fragment of woven basketry(?)

Taxon: Yucca-type

Size/shape: 31 x 25 x 3 mm

Comments: Technology of weave still to be described. Loose pieces of Yucca-type leaf present.

Kiva 1501

Basketry(?) Fragment

PD 1507, FS 41, PL 6 (west half, Surface 1)

Description: burned fragment of coiled basketry(?)

Taxon: possibly Salix-type and other unknown

Size/shape: 40 x 10 x 5 mm

Comments: Made of Salix-type twigs, 2 mm in diameter, and another unknown twig type.

Photo(s): Database Photo 2371

Split-Stick Mat(?)

PD 1507, FS 42, PL 5 (west half, Surface 1)

Description: split-stick mat, composed primarily of charred twigs

Taxon: Salix-type

Size/shape: A large proportion of the twigs averages 0.5 to 1.0 cm in diameter and have been split lengthwise. Other twigs are smaller in diameter and are unsplit.

Comments: Sample is accompanied by unexamined charred debris, including seeds, and Yucca-type cordage (described below).

Map(s) and Photo(s): Database Map 4205, Database Photo 2378

Cordage

PD 1507, FS 42, PL 5 (west half, Surface 1)

Description: three pieces of two-ply fiber cordage

Taxon: Yucca-type

Comments: Individual strands are S-twist; whole cord is Z-twist. This material was collected with the split-stick mat described above.

Room 1513

Tied and Woven Fibers

PD 1208, FS 6, PL 8 (Segment 1, Stratum 3)

Description: charred fibers, including two knotted segments

Taxon: Yucca-type

Size/shape: knotted segments measure 20 x 15 mm and 25 x 10 mm

Photo(s): Database Photo 3872 

Tied Cordage

PD 1208, FS 19 (Segment 1, Stratum 3)

Description: charred fiber cordage

Taxon: Yucca-type

Size/shape: one knotted segment, 25 x 7 mm

 Photo(s): Database Photo 3872

Acknowledgments

A number of individuals assisted with the examination of the worked vegetal materials from Sand Canyon Pueblo. Thanks are due to Mark Hovezak and Rich Fleming for initiating the process of identifying and describing the materials from Room 1205. Volunteers Glee Capehart, Nancy Shulman, and Joe D. Stewart assisted with the major effort to describe, identify, and photograph all the specimens reported here. We appreciate the attention to detail and enthusiasm expressed by all these individuals during this project.

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