Perishable: Willow Mat AZRU8-3407

Willow Mat, Accession AZRU-00008, Catalog #3407. Morris FS 5549. Analyzed by Laurie Webster, 2006. Nearly complete sewn willow mat threaded with 11 rows of 2(2Z-S)Z yucca cordage. Cords tied in overhand knots at both ends. Diameter of willow elements = 0.7-0.8 CM. One large section missing. Measurements: L 154.0, W 106.0 CM. Images: AZRU8-3407 A: large sewn willow mat in drawer. AZRU8-3407 B: large willow mat in drawer. AZRU8-3407 C: overhand knots at one end of mat. AZRU8-3407 D: overhand knots at other end of mat. AZRU8-3407 E: detail of willow elements. AZRU8-3407 F: smoothed ends of willow elements. AZRU8-3407 G: smoothed ends of willow elements 2. Recovered from Earl Morris' excavation of Room 193, 3rd Story Above, Aztec West Ruin. For Room 193 Morris described typical architectural features and “refuse that had been deposited on the second floor, including fragments of a considerable number of very fine medium-sized water jars and mugs that were shattered, possibly intentionally, judging from their number and the fact that they were practically new and of the same potter. Another atypical Chaco water jar had the entire surface completely hidden by a coat of lacquer bearing an elaborate design in yellow, red, and black” (Morris 1928:362).
Reference: Earl Morris, 1928, Notes on Excavations in the Aztec Ruin, Volume XXVI, Part V, Anthropological Papers of the American Museum of Natural History, New York.