Hi Everyone,

I came across an article, that I think will answer most of my questions about
shicra (Mancos 1977:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Perishable_Technology/files/ ).
Unfortunately for me, it's in Spanish, so it may take me a little while to get
all the info out of it. Also, the image reproduction is poor so I've requested
higher resolution...I'll repost if I get those.

In any case, what I've learned so far is that shicra are made from totora,
phragmites, and maize leaves among other materials. This author claims to have
coined the name as an analogy to similar bags used today for transporting goods
between the coast and highlands. Hopefully the improved pictures will allow me
to evaluate the construction more carefully. Mainly, I am interested in
determining how the totora fibers were processed.

-Randy

--- 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
>