Cordage from the Rosa Rockshelter, Yakima River Canyon, Washington State
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom C/D
Start Date
16-5-2013
End Date
16-5-2013
Abstract
William Smith, CWU professor of anthropology, excavated Rosa Rockshelter in 1971 and recovered a unique assemblage of preserved plant remains from a single storage feature. These materials include over 30 fragments of cordage and basketry that date to the Cayuse Phase (ca. 2000 years ago). Fragments of two-ply S twist cordage of Dogbane (Indian Hemp) dominate the assemblage and several of these items are found stitched in tule mat. Several fragments of two-ply Z twist cedar cordage, found woven with cedar plats, probably formed the rims of one or more open-weave basket. Examples of grass, sage bark, and hair cordage are also represented. The type and frequency of cordage fragments are compared to other larger assemblages from dry caves in the Columbia River Basin to contribute information on the material culture and technological abilities of prehistoric inhabitants from a unique time and place on the Columbia Plateau.
Recommended Citation
Matthes, Whitney, "Cordage from the Rosa Rockshelter, Yakima River Canyon, Washington State" (2013). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 27.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2013/posters/27
Poster Number
6
Additional Mentoring Department
Anthropology
Cordage from the Rosa Rockshelter, Yakima River Canyon, Washington State
SURC Ballroom C/D
William Smith, CWU professor of anthropology, excavated Rosa Rockshelter in 1971 and recovered a unique assemblage of preserved plant remains from a single storage feature. These materials include over 30 fragments of cordage and basketry that date to the Cayuse Phase (ca. 2000 years ago). Fragments of two-ply S twist cordage of Dogbane (Indian Hemp) dominate the assemblage and several of these items are found stitched in tule mat. Several fragments of two-ply Z twist cedar cordage, found woven with cedar plats, probably formed the rims of one or more open-weave basket. Examples of grass, sage bark, and hair cordage are also represented. The type and frequency of cordage fragments are compared to other larger assemblages from dry caves in the Columbia River Basin to contribute information on the material culture and technological abilities of prehistoric inhabitants from a unique time and place on the Columbia Plateau.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Steve Hackenberger