Pseudomorph breastplate

Earspool, Mound E, disc Breastplate, Mound C pseudomorph after bast ( )b Cu, Brc... 

The outer surface of the earspools from Tunacunnhee Mounds C and E and the reverse side of the breastplate display pseudomorphs that have shapes characteristic of bast fibers (Figure 7). Typical of these fibers, the pseudomorphs occur in bundles of irregular size which are used as units in fabric production. The fibers are longer than staple and exhibit little of the twisting required for short fibers to produce a usable yam. The fiber bundles of the bast group can be used with little processing in making fabrics. 

On the observe side of the breastplate are fiber shapes that are smooth and separate and exhibit some crimp (Figure 8). Some evidence of longitudinal striations on the formations is present inconsistency in size is found. They twist around each other while maintaining structural integrity. If the fiber shapes are bast, they have been subjected to some processing to separate them from their bundles. On the other hand, if the fibers occurred in the environment in somewhat the same structure as the pseudomorphs, that is, separate and individual, they would therefore be from a fiber class other than bast. 

Figure 7. Pseudomorphs after bast from copper breastplate, F-30, Mound C, Tunacunnhee, 14X.

One section of the reverse side of the breastplate exhibits pseudomorphs after feathers (Figure 9). These pseudomorphs are striking in the fine detail of the barbules extending from the barbs. No identification of feather type has been made. 

Particularly perplexing are the pseudomorphs after feathers found on the reverse side of the breastplate (F-30, Mound C). The cluster of feathers is in the central area of the plate on several of its fragments. It is adjacent to spaced weft twining, and a very finely twisted group of yarns is buried under the feather pseudomorphs. Careful examination to date reveals no interworking of yam and feather. 

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