Ancient or just old?

Nick

Nick

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Aug 9, 2007
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@Smokey and I found this (and left this) at an archeological site in the Bears Ears area last weekend. I'd like to believe it's 800+ years old and used to be part of some clothing or a handle for something, but it's hard to say. Anyone out there care to share their opinion? That's my big fat finger for scale, which actually throws the scale off a bit. Click for full size image.

rope.jpg
 
What's your rationale for thinking it is so old?

What were the conditions where it was found (e.g. shaded, dry, etc)?
 
Outdoor_Fool said:
What's your rationale for thinking it is so old?

What were the conditions where it was found (e.g. shaded, dry, etc)?
Click to expand...

It was in a well-used site with quite a few structures that is totally sheltered in an alcove. The site included a kiva, many square rooms and probably a half dozen granaries. It never gets wet in there and only gets direct sun in the winter time. It was tucked up under a rock mostly out of sight. The look of the weave doesn't look like anything I've seen commercially.
 
No way to know for certain but to carbon date it (or perhaps identify the material under a microscope?). A very quick and anecdotal Google search comparing prehistoric Z-twist and S-twist cordage found on Cedar Mesa seems to indicate that Z-twist is more common, and the cordage in your photo is Z-twist.
 
Nice, thanks Dennis. I know there's not a good way to know for sure, so that anecdotal/opinion based stuff is just what I was looking for.
 
Very cool looking find if ancient but hard to tell for sure, would a rope such as this from Cedar Mesa be made from yucca fiber or some other plant?
 
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