Crossing the Borders: New Methods and Techniques in the Study of Archaeological Materials from the Caribbean

Dental Alginate Molds of Friable Artifacts / 73
can be carried out. It was noted that some of the compounds commonly used left
surface residues that hinder 14 C dating (Minar et al. 1999). This has not been determined
for dental alginate (Drooker 2001), a seaweed derivative, but it seems advisable
to follow this protocol regardless of the molding material being used.
Discussion
The methods described here were successfully utilized in the study of negative basketry
impressions from several native Lucayan sites in the Commonwealth of the
Bahamas (for details see Berman and Hutcheson 2000; Hutcheson 2001), most notably
the Pigeon Creek (SS1) and Palmetto Grove (SS2) sites on San Salvador Island.
Through the use of this technique, the basketry of the Lucayans has once
again come to life. A classification system for the weave types has been created
(Berman and Hutcheson 2000) and a basketry technology and style- grammar
may now be studied and articulated.
The weaving classes identified are all forms of plaiting, which includes 1-over-1
(1/1) simple plaiting, often called “checkerboard weave,” wicker— a form of simple
plaiting, and 2-over-2 (2/2) twill plaiting (see Adovasio 1977 for basketry definitions).
No examples of coiled or twined basketry have been found in the Bahamas
to date (Berman and Hutcheson 2000; Hutcheson 2001). There is a predominance
of 2/2 twill plaiting, which is the primary interval of interlacing in Lucayan basketry
(Berman and Hutcheson 2000) and often produces the appearance of a herringbone
pattern. This is especially true when a thick material is used causing an
uneven surface; one having “topography.” Additionally, a single instance of compact
countertwined fabric with evidence of S- spin and S and Z twist rows from the
Palmetto Grove site was noted (Hutcheson 2001:189). This is the only example of
fabric thus far identified in the Bahamas.
Several very complex weave patterns have been deciphered, most of which utilize
one primary shift sequence dubbed the “A pattern” due to its appearance in the
pottery impressions (Figure 5.2). This ubiquitous shift mechanism is made up of a
four row repeat sequence by one element that can be inverted or rotated to the left
or right at set intervals within a design. The “A pattern” sequence consists of: (row
one) 2 over/1 under/2 over, (row two) 2 over/3 under/2 over, (row three) 2 under/1
over/2 under, (row four) 2 under/3 over/2 under and has a 2 over/2 under primary
interval of interlacing for the other element. Visual zigzags, chevrons, lozenges, as
well as quartered and halved fields in the Lucayan weaves were identified. The term
“visual” is used because the actual weaving is straight across, whereas the pattern
appears as a zigzag or other design (Figure 5.2). This shift pattern often looks like
one or more stacks of the capital letter “A.” For example, a zigzag pattern will have
evenly spaced upright and inverted “stacks.”
Having the positive face of the weaving in the form of the mold is essential in
You are reading copyrighted material published by the University of Alabama Press.
Any posting, copying, or distributing of this work beyond fair use as defined under U.S. Copyright law is illegal and
injures the author and publisher. For permission to reuse this work, contact the University of Alabama Press.