Textile Fibers used in Eastern Aboriginal North America

This detailed study explores the vegetable fibers woven into objects recovered from the Indian tribes of the Mississippi drainage and lands to the east. Drawing on specimens housed in major museums, the author identifies each fiber through careful histological microscopy, comparing cross‑sections and longitudinal cuts with modern reference material. The work thanks a network of botanical gardens and university departments whose expertise and sample donations made the analysis possible. Readers are guided through the laboratory techniques—bleaching, staining, and maceration—that reveal the hidden structures of these ancient textiles.

Among the findings, the palmetto palm—normally limited to southern climates—appears in cords and basketry of the Winnebago, Iroquois, and Cherokee, suggesting long‑distance exchange. Florida’s Spanish moss surfaces in Koasati blankets and spindle threads, while various yucca species and Nolina georgiana show up in cords, moccasins, and mound‑site artifacts. The author notes frequent mixtures of locally sourced and far‑flung fibers, hinting at complex trade networks and adaptive craft practices. Together, these observations illuminate the botanical knowledge and resourcefulness of the region’s early peoples.