The caves above contained woven material. Many were made from wild plant fibers for day-to-day use—sandals, skirts, matting, and rope. Other items were woven from cotton, a cultivated “crop.” Some of these fabrics were of dyed yarn and made into intricate designs. Today, weaving is considered an art. Would these prehistoric people agree?
... And Death
The Burials Reveal
Trading
Material goods are frequently found with human remains. Examine the pictures on these pages. These items were discovered with one of the female burials. The pendant and decorated bowl indicate that these people were part of an extensive trading network which covered at least the length and breadth of the Southwest.
Rigors of life
Of the fifteen skeletons whose ages could be determined, eleven died before age 45. Some skeletons also provided evidence of arthritis and other bone diseases. And as noted in the archeological report, “... two male skulls showed ... several straight, ragged cuts such as could have been caused by a blunt stone axe.”
The DECORATED BOWL was made in northeastern Arizona about 1350-1400.
The PLAIN BOWL was probably made locally.