Cordage

    Cordage is the term used for any type of rope or string made by twisting fibers together. This was an invaluable tool for Native Americans and it had a major impact on their daily lives. The manufacturing of cordage by Native Americans has changed very little over the many years of its use.

    Native Americans made cordage for a variety of reasons. It was used to manufacture large fishing nets. These nets would have allowed them to catch many fish with relatively few people. These strong nets allowed them to catch even the largest salmon and sturgeon. Cordage was also used to make animal snares to catch small game. Aside from using cordage to maintain their nutritional needs, it was also used to weave bags, baskets and other craft items. It was used to tie together support beams for their houses. Evidence also suggests it was used to decorate Native American pottery by stamping the impression of the cord onto the surface of the pottery.

   Cordage was usually made with native plants growing in the area. The most popular fiber used was “Indian Hemp,” also known as dogbane. Along with hemp, Native Americans made cordage out of such things as cattails and milkweed. They were also able to use the inner bark of trees like poplar and hickory, and the roots of evergreen trees. When tougher fibers were used they would first be soaked in hot water and pounded to soften them up. Human and animal hair could also be utilized along with, tendons of an animal. It was prepared cord or thread. Because of the wealth of materials, there was not a shortage of materials that could be used to make cordage.

    Because cordage will deteriorate over time when exposed to moisture, the only examples of Native American cordage are usually found in the dry caves of the southwest. Much of our knowledge of cordage comes from the branch of archaeology known as Experimental Archaeology. Experimental archaeologists attempt to replicate ancient technologies in order to learn more about them. By recreating this technology, archaeologists can experiment with it and study such things as wear patterns from use, how much labor might have been needed in the production of it, how strong it might have been, and what activities it may have been used for. This by no means gives us a definite answer of how and what cordage was used for, but it can supply us with a better understanding of it and its uses.

How to Make Cordage

1. The first step to making cordage is to take the strands of fibers and rub them between the palms of your hands to remove debris.
2. Next take the 2 strands and hold in your hand between your forefinger and thumb, take one strand between your forefinger and thumb of the other hand and twist the fiber away from your body.
3. Once you have the twisted strand, take it and bring it toward your body and go over and under the other strand and pinch the 2 newly woven strands.
4. Now that you have it pinched, take the other strand that you have not crossed yet and follow the same directions.
5. Twist away from the body and then bring it over and under again.
6. Pinch the new weave and repeat steps until you run out of length.
7. Now you have cordage.

References:

Making Cordage http://www.rla.edu/lessons/lesson2-7.htm

Cordage Technology http://www.nativetech.org/cordage/cord.html

Gabrielino Material Culture http://www.csun.edu/~ms44278/gab.htm

Matt Lutgen