Twined Fabrics have been found in Hopewell, Mississippian, and later sites in Ohio and Indiana. Some form of textile manufacture from Dogbane, Swamp Milkweed, Nettle, and other fibers has existed for thousands of years. It just has the least chance for survival. But as scientists make use of more sophisticated technology to study the few samples they find, we learn technique, color patterns, names of plants and fibers used and to a lesser extent, what items were actually made.
As depicted in one of our illustrations from, “Natives Along the Wabash,” Steve Tucker has offered a very realistic view of boys wearing plant fiber kilts with various patterns or designs created by first dyeing the cordage and then weaving or more correctly, twining the cordage into a long piece of textile to be wrapped around the waist and held in place with a drawstring cord.
Several Twined Bags Made by Sheryl Hartman - one in back is large 20” w x 15” deep and used to hang in a house for storage of clothes, food, etc. The Red and brown bag in front is smaller and could be used for personal items. The twine bag in the foreground is made from hemp. The cord laying nearby is nettle and hemp.
Right: Twined Bag Ottawa - Panel Bag- One Side Showing is the Underwater Panther and on the reverse panel would most likely be some sort of Thunderbird Design. These represent some of the earliest effigy bags of the Great Lakes. Few if any, in tact samples exist of Hopewell or Mississippian textiles or bags.
Lower Right: Reproduction of a 19th century Wool panel bag using lozenges and diamonds to represent Underwater panther and body of the Thunderbird Mae Ring 1986
In somewhat of a contradictory statement to Ted Brasser, there has been evidence found in sites in Meadowcroft Rockshelter of slat or plaited basketry. Sandy Point, Russel Caves Site and other sites have revealed evidence of plaited baskets before 1700.