Because textiles rarely are preserved in the archaeological record outside of deserts and permafrost areas, in many regions of the world very little is known about their characteristics, functions, production technology, or socioeconomic importance. While this fact is also true of organic fabrics produced during the Mississippian period in southeastern North Anerica, a wide variety of Mississippian textiles has been preserved in the form of impressions on large pottery vessels. From attribute analysis of 1,574 fabrics impressed on Wickliffe pottery sherds and comparison of the impressions with extant Mississippian textile artifacts, Drooker presents the first comparative analysis of these materials and the most inclusive available summary of information on Mississippian textiles.
Contents
Tables and Figures
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Setting the Scene
3. Wickliffe Village
4. Gleaning Information from Fabric Impressions: Methodology and Comparative Datea
5. Characteristics of Wickliffe Textiles Impressed on "Saltpan" Pottery Definition of Sherd Sample
6. Textile Production and Use at Wickliffe
7. Regional Comparisons
Appendix A: Definitions of Textile Terms
Appendix B: General Methodology for Making Casts and Taking Measurements