Reintroduction of Ancient Archaeological Footwear Back into the Modern Pueblo World

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Approaches to Archaeological Footwear" session, at the 88th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Until recently, the memory of ancient footwear traditions was only retained in the oral histories and stone-hewn writings of Pueblo scholars. Previous interpretations have suggested that footwear was as an everyday item used only to increase mobility and ensure survival in diverse surroundings. For Pueblo people, ancestral footwear was and is a spiritual item that held significance not only in life but in the practice of preparation for crossing over at death. Archaeologists have little data on how ancient footwear was used and worn, and how its use effected wear-and-tear on the sandals or the feet that wore them. This presentation discusses efforts to reintroduce two styles of ancient footwear to Pueblo communities. Replication of the manufacturing techniques and experimental use of two styles of yucca sandals has prompted the curiosity of both anthropologists and Pueblo peoples alike. The goal of my work is to relate the elegance of ancient footwear technology and design to Pueblo and non-Pueblo audiences and to revitalize the production and use of traditional yucca sandals for Pueblo people.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Approaches to Archaeological Footwear   •
• Society for American Archaeology 88th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR (2023)

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Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 37052.0