Identification of Natural Fibers

Abstract

Natural fibers may be encountered in a variety of archaeological contexts. Plants produce seed, bast, and leaf fibers; animals produce hairs and silk; and deposits of fibrous minerals are widespread. The fibers recovered from an archaeological site may provide information about the past environment at the site, about past human diet, about human technology, about human cultural practices, and about ancient trade routes. Several schemes for the preparation of natural fibers (especially vegetable fibers) for analysis have been proposed. Despite advances in analytical instrumentation, the primary tool for the identification of natural fibers remains the polarized light microscope. Despite the simplicity of the instrumentation required for the identification of natural fibers, considerable experience is required to develop expertise in this area. In addition to providing the basic instrumentation for analysis of natural fibers, laboratories attempting the analysis of natural fibers require authenticated samples of natural fibers and detailed, validated protocols for the recovery, analysis, documentation, and preservation of the fibers.