Prehistoric Indians of the SouthwestWormington, H. M. (Hannah Marie)
History
Prehistoric Indians of the Southwest
Wormington, H. M. (Hannah Marie)
Indians of North America -- Southwest, New -- Antiquities; Southwest, New -- Antiquities
There are two other classes of articles made of clay, sometimes lightly
fired but more often unbaked. These are human figurines and
nipple-shaped objects believed to be cult objects with no utilitarian
purpose. The figurines almost invariably represent human females. Faces
are indistinct except for the nose, which, like the breasts, is clearly
marked. Arms, if shown at all, are sketchily indicated. Legs are
scarcely ever shown. Necklaces and pendants are indicated by punctures
and incised lines. The nipple or funnel-shaped objects are hollow
cornucopias, about two inches long, decorated with punctations. They are
perforated at the base, which suggests that they were once tied to
something, possibly masks or clothing. There are many theories as to the
significance of these traits. It has been suggested that they may have
come with the introduction of maize and may be connected with fertility
rites.
Pottery did not entirely supplant basketry and many fine baskets
continued to be made. There was greater use of red and black designs
than in the previous period. Sometimes these were woven in and sometimes
they were painted. Sandals reached their highest level of development at
this time. They were finely woven of apocynum string over a yucca cord
warp. Fringing was abandoned, and the toe was marked by a
crescent-shaped scallop. The heel was puckered. Soles were double with
designs worked in colored cord in zones on the upper surface and raised
designs on the underside produced by variations in weave or by knotting.
Carrying bands continued to be very finely woven but twined bags
degenerated.
Fur blankets were still manufactured but the use of feather cord became
progressively more common. Some blankets were made partially of fur cord
and partially of feather cord. Strips of bird skin were no longer used
exclusively in the manufacture of the latter type. Small downy feathers
were employed, as well as heavier feathers from which the stiffer part
of the quill had been removed. Much turkey plumage was utilized, and it
is believed by some archaeologists that turkeys were domesticated at
this time,[87] although others do not think that domestication took
place until later. There is no agreement as to whether turkeys were kept
to provide food. It is most generally believed that they were not eaten.
At this time new varieties of corn were cultivated, which tended to be
somewhat larger than the earlier forms, and the people’s diet was
changed to some extent by the introduction of beans as a food crop. The
addition of beans to the daily fare may have been quite important for it
would increase the protein content of the diet. Such a crop also
indicates a more settled life, for, while corn may be planted and then
left for long periods of time, beans require almost constant attention.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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