Plant Exudates of Arizona: Use, Properties, and Testing

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Plant Exudates and Other Binders, Adhesives, and Coatings in the Americas" session, at the 86th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

In the material culture of the American Southwest, several plant and insect exudates were utilized as adhesives, coatings, paints, and dyes, as well as for medicinal purposes. Their use is described in ethnohistorical and anthropological accounts. However, many of these materials are misidentified in these accounts and subsequently in collection records, often due to problems with nomenclature. As each of these exudates is chemically distinct with different physiomechanical and bioactive properties, correct identification is critical to understanding their use. As part of a long-term study, we are undertaking a comprehensive survey of collections from the greater Southwest from the archaeological to the historic periods. To date, over 300 exudate samples from artifacts across multiple institutions have been analyzed. Concurrently we are investigating the chemical and physical properties of these exudates to gain insight into their processing and application. Understanding these properties combined with use patterns in artifacts is crucial to a holistic understanding of materials selection. Given the limited availability and costs of instrumental analysis, this study also assessed practical, inexpensive methods for characterizing these materials.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Plant Exudates and Other Binders, Adhesives, and Coatings in the Americas   •
• Society for American Archaeology 86th Annual Meeting, Online (2021)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 32769