Toward the Classification of Colorants in Archaeological Textiles of Eastern North America

Revealing Clues from Textile Particulate through Microscopy, Infrared Spectroscopy, and X-ray Microanalysis

“…Many different plants could have been the source for these colorants. Flavonoid dyes from plants such as oaks iOuercus species), onion (Aitium species) or yarrow (Achilla species) could have provided dyestuff for the color yellow (Adrosko 1971;Densmore 1974Densmore (1928; Baldia and Jakes 2007b). Brown colors could have been produced by quiñones found in plants such as walnuts (Juglans species) and the red color could have come from sorrel (Rumex species) or from bedstraw [Galium species).…”

“…There is evidence for decorative enhancement ofthe textiles as well, including fringe and a leatherlike material attachment. Baldia and Jakes (2007b) explore the inorganic and organic colorants that could have been used in these materials. Pigment particles are larger in molecular size than dyes, and in general are applied to a fabric surface using a binder such as plant resin.…”