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BELTS

At least that is what they look like. It's like the old saying, "swims like a duck, quacks like a duck, flies like a duck, maybe it's a duck". That's the story of the belts. There have been reports published where they are referred to as "hemp bands". This with the idea that early man used them to aid him in the toting of heavy loads. If early man went around with heavy loads this would be a reasonable suggestion. Unfortunately we have no evidence that early man was faced with hauling heavy loads. So it's back to the duck. Evidence at the Zueberbueler shelter of weaving these bands was very common. More important was the recovery of a pair of these bands intact. The first sample recovered was worn and showed repairs. It's claim to fame is that it is decorated. The weaver inserted a second color into the weave. This decoration with color was unique. It is the second belt that is the pride of the Pecos Museum. This was recovered in excellent original condition. In fact the belt was still tied so as to form a loop. Close by to this belt, a small shard of a belt weaving was recovered. On inspection it could be seen that the belt above, had at one time been broken. A sharp edge suggested that the weaving had been snapped. The Sacahuisti grass must have been dry and brittle. Please remember the Pecos is an evolving museum and we change very often with new items, so you all come back, hear!

THE BELTS