Beyond Cloth and Cordage

Archaeological Textile Research in the Americas.

Textiles and clothing provide critical clues to ethnic and social identity, relationships, and trends. The editors' introduction to a dozen papers situates the prime role of textile research in modern American archeology, and overviews types and locations of the textile record and diverse methodological and theoretical approaches. Includes cases studies; numerous b&w illustrations and tables on such parameters as photographic and electron micrograph details of prehistoric fabrics, the amount of fiber specimens required for different radiocarbon testing methods, and the distribution of particular textiles; a glossary; and 44 pages of references. Drooker is with the New York State Museum in Albany. Webster works at the Arizona State Museum at the U. of Arizona in Tucson. Based on a 1997 Society for American Archeology symposium. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)