I realize that this "a bit" to the north, but these are very similiar in
construction to items from the Ozark Bluff Shelters in NW Arkansas. Samual
Dellinger referred to them as baby cradles, although this is debatable, but
there is a nice image and discussion of their construction (the original
analysis was done by Gene Weltfish according to her notes and hand-drawn
illustrations in the University of Arkansas's archive). Dellinger's origional
publication is available through JSTOR...1936 Dellinger, S.C. "Baby Cradles of
the Ozark Bluffdwellers" American Antiquity 1 (3): 197-214...I am working with
the collection now in my dissertation. Here in the Ozarks these seem to have
made with tall prairie grasses(Andropogon type) with bark strap (Dirca
palustris) re-reinforcements.
Liz Horton



--- In Perishable_Technology@yahoogroups.com, "wrhaas2003" <wrhaas@...> wrote:
>
> Hey everybody,
>
> I'm trying to get some information on the construction and materials of
shicra--looped bags from the Andean Archaic used for transporting stone for
mound construction. I've only been able to find the most general treatments in
the literature. Basically, all I know is that they're looped, and made from
"minimally processed sedges or reeds." Do any of you have any references,
images, or other info that might help?
>
> Here's a low-res web image:
http://www.museoamano.com/jp/images/excava/2-02.jpg
>
> And here's a pdf with an image and basic description (page 402):
http://www.springerlink.com/content/w18333r835317727/fulltext.pdf
>
> Thanks,
>
> Randy Haas
>