This research is an examination of the lac scale insect in the arid Southwest, its distribution, ... more This research is an examination of the lac scale insect in the arid Southwest, its distribution, and its cultural uses. Three species, Tachardiella fulgens, Tachardiella larreae and Tachardiella pustulata are those most known to have been utilized by the indigenous peoples of the region from as early as the Archaic period to the modern era as an adhesive, mastic, and coating for the fabrication of tools, weapons, musical instruments, kicking balls, ornaments, and amulets. It was also used for hermetic sealing of containers to protect foods and seeds from pests and as a repair material for mending pottery.
The purpose of this research has been to broaden the current understanding of the biology and ecology of lac insects in the arid Southwest to elucidate more about indigenous cultural uses and traditional ecological knowledge of these materials in the region over time. By documenting known distributions of the insects, their host plants and manufactured materials, data has been gathered for analysis to search for meaningful relationships. Ultimately, the biological and anthropological investigation of lac scale exudate sources, distribution, extent of use, and of possible circulation through trade has further illuminated its cultural significance. This research has expanded the previously known boundaries of the distribution of both the Tachardiella species and the range of peoples who utilized them to manufacture cultural materials in the arid Southwest. The data gathered have formed a foundation from which to expand research with further resources for more detailed biological and chemical analysis, and ethnohistorical research.
Conservators from the Preservation Division of the Arizona State Museum are currently researching... more Conservators from the Preservation Division of the Arizona State Museum are currently researching the use of insect exudates in its archaeological and ethnographic collections. The survey of entire collections assessing materials and technology with focus led to discoveries about the collection, including findings of continuity between ancient and modern cultures. This poster will focus on the host plants, their distribution and associated lac producing insects found in the deserts of the American Southwest. Examples of the application of this material by ancient and modern peoples in the manufacture of a variety of artifact types will be described. Summary: Resinous materials on 150 artifacts were analyzed using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify insect lac. Out of these artifacts, 44% contained insect lac. The museum catalog records incorrectly identified most of the resinous material on these objects as plant resins. From this study of collections, we discovered similarities in the use of lac between historic and ancient cultures in the Southwest. Further studies of the ethnographic collections will continue to build on this research.
Cold storage has been adopted from the commercial fur storage industry by museums to control inse... more Cold storage has been adopted from the commercial fur storage industry by museums to control insects and microbial pests in fur garment and mammal skin collections. A pilot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of cold storage and chill-thaw cycles on these collections. The results showed that as the skin samples were cycled in and out refrigerated conditions, they exhibited a loss of moisture regain and possibly a loss of hysteresis over time. The apparent loss of hysteresis may have been caused by the migration of salts out of the interfibular areas of the skins. It is recommended that cold storage temperatures be raised to within 10 degrees C. of room temperature, and that fur garments and skins be bagged and acclimated to room temperature when taken in and out of cold storage.
The peoples of the Southwest used a variety of organic adhesives including pine resin and insect... more The peoples of the Southwest used a variety of organic adhesives including pine resin and insect lac (shellac). A survey at the Arizona State Museum characterized over 100 artifacts with resinous materials or residues using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Less expensive and more accessible methods—UV-induced visible uorescence and microchemical testing— were also used for characterization and their accuracy was compared to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results. For pine resin, the Raspail test was used; for insect lac, a new microchemical test was developed based on the pH sensitivity of anthraquinone dyes present in insect lac exudates. Results show that microchemical tests are generally reliable even with archaeological materials. is is important as archaeological artifacts are aged and adhesives are often contaminated with burial accretions. By systematically evaluating these tests, further insights were gained. Most importantly, the Raspail test was found to indicate any terpenoid exudate and is not specic to pine resin. These results show that although microchemical tests continue to be useful, care should be taken when interpreting results.
The Arizona State Museum has more than 30,000 archaeological perishable artifacts. A large scale ... more The Arizona State Museum has more than 30,000 archaeological perishable artifacts. A large scale inventory of this collection led to an analytical survey to identify the indigenous adhesives that are present in these objects. Adhesive samples from 64 objects that covered 31 different archaeological sites and encompassed every major cultural tradition in Arizona were analyzed with attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spec-troscopy (ATR-FTIR). The study found that Pinaceae exudates and insect lac were the primary adhesive materials. Insect lac was the predominant adhesive used by the Hohokam, and both pine resin and insect lac were found in artifacts from the Mogollon and Ancestral Pueblo. Because insect lac is produced by insects (Tachardiella spp.) endemic to the desert lowlands, this indicates exchange of insect lac throughout the cultural regions of Arizona. This study illustrates the value of addressing a collection as a whole to increase understanding of prehistoric material culture and fabrication technology.
Advances in conservation employed at the Arizona State Museum have expanded the research options ... more Advances in conservation employed at the Arizona State Museum have expanded the research options for over 35,000 ethnographic and archaeological perishable objects since 2012. The Woven Wonders basketry conservation project has pro- vided increased access to the collection, instituted new conservation treatment technique, initiated new research topics, provided advanced educational oppor- tunities, instigated new forms of collaborative conservation, and reduced material loss from items in the collection. The Woven Wonders project was funded with a Save America’s Treasure grant, two Institute of Museum and Library Services grants, one Preservation Training Grant, two Kress Foundation grants, and numerous private donations. The project has resulted in a state-of- the-art visible storage vault with an adjacent interpretive gallery that is home to the Woven Through Time: American Treasures of Native Basketry and Fiber Art.
Many scale insects from around the world produce red dyes that historically have had great econom... more Many scale insects from around the world produce red dyes that historically have had great economic importance, which continues today as they are natural, light stable and non-toxic. There are several species of lac scales endemic to the Sonoran Desert. These species (Tachardiella genus) are in the same family (Keriidae) as the lac scales of Asia used in the commercial production of lac dye. These insects host on a specific plants and produce a polyester exudate that encases the female insects and eggs. The exudate (shellac) has been used since ancient times by cultures of the Southwest as an adhesive and sealant. There is no historical evidence of the use of the dye, which is present within the insects and eggs. The dyes from four Tachardiella spp. of the Southwest were extracted and analyzed with liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) at Smithsonian Institution. The dyes were determined to be laccaic acids, very similar in chemistry to lac dye.
This research is an examination of the lac scale insect in the arid Southwest, its distribution, ... more This research is an examination of the lac scale insect in the arid Southwest, its distribution, and its cultural uses. Three species, Tachardiella fulgens, Tachardiella larreae and Tachardiella pustulata are those most known to have been utilized by the indigenous peoples of the region from as early as the Archaic period to the modern era as an adhesive, mastic, and coating for the fabrication of tools, weapons, musical instruments, kicking balls, ornaments, and amulets. It was also used for hermetic sealing of containers to protect foods and seeds from pests and as a repair material for mending pottery.
The purpose of this research has been to broaden the current understanding of the biology and ecology of lac insects in the arid Southwest to elucidate more about indigenous cultural uses and traditional ecological knowledge of these materials in the region over time. By documenting known distributions of the insects, their host plants and manufactured materials, data has been gathered for analysis to search for meaningful relationships. Ultimately, the biological and anthropological investigation of lac scale exudate sources, distribution, extent of use, and of possible circulation through trade has further illuminated its cultural significance. This research has expanded the previously known boundaries of the distribution of both the Tachardiella species and the range of peoples who utilized them to manufacture cultural materials in the arid Southwest. The data gathered have formed a foundation from which to expand research with further resources for more detailed biological and chemical analysis, and ethnohistorical research.
Conservators from the Preservation Division of the Arizona State Museum are currently researching... more Conservators from the Preservation Division of the Arizona State Museum are currently researching the use of insect exudates in its archaeological and ethnographic collections. The survey of entire collections assessing materials and technology with focus led to discoveries about the collection, including findings of continuity between ancient and modern cultures. This poster will focus on the host plants, their distribution and associated lac producing insects found in the deserts of the American Southwest. Examples of the application of this material by ancient and modern peoples in the manufacture of a variety of artifact types will be described. Summary: Resinous materials on 150 artifacts were analyzed using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify insect lac. Out of these artifacts, 44% contained insect lac. The museum catalog records incorrectly identified most of the resinous material on these objects as plant resins. From this study of collections, we discovered similarities in the use of lac between historic and ancient cultures in the Southwest. Further studies of the ethnographic collections will continue to build on this research.
Cold storage has been adopted from the commercial fur storage industry by museums to control inse... more Cold storage has been adopted from the commercial fur storage industry by museums to control insects and microbial pests in fur garment and mammal skin collections. A pilot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of cold storage and chill-thaw cycles on these collections. The results showed that as the skin samples were cycled in and out refrigerated conditions, they exhibited a loss of moisture regain and possibly a loss of hysteresis over time. The apparent loss of hysteresis may have been caused by the migration of salts out of the interfibular areas of the skins. It is recommended that cold storage temperatures be raised to within 10 degrees C. of room temperature, and that fur garments and skins be bagged and acclimated to room temperature when taken in and out of cold storage.
The peoples of the Southwest used a variety of organic adhesives including pine resin and insect... more The peoples of the Southwest used a variety of organic adhesives including pine resin and insect lac (shellac). A survey at the Arizona State Museum characterized over 100 artifacts with resinous materials or residues using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Less expensive and more accessible methods—UV-induced visible uorescence and microchemical testing— were also used for characterization and their accuracy was compared to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results. For pine resin, the Raspail test was used; for insect lac, a new microchemical test was developed based on the pH sensitivity of anthraquinone dyes present in insect lac exudates. Results show that microchemical tests are generally reliable even with archaeological materials. is is important as archaeological artifacts are aged and adhesives are often contaminated with burial accretions. By systematically evaluating these tests, further insights were gained. Most importantly, the Raspail test was found to indicate any terpenoid exudate and is not specic to pine resin. These results show that although microchemical tests continue to be useful, care should be taken when interpreting results.
The Arizona State Museum has more than 30,000 archaeological perishable artifacts. A large scale ... more The Arizona State Museum has more than 30,000 archaeological perishable artifacts. A large scale inventory of this collection led to an analytical survey to identify the indigenous adhesives that are present in these objects. Adhesive samples from 64 objects that covered 31 different archaeological sites and encompassed every major cultural tradition in Arizona were analyzed with attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spec-troscopy (ATR-FTIR). The study found that Pinaceae exudates and insect lac were the primary adhesive materials. Insect lac was the predominant adhesive used by the Hohokam, and both pine resin and insect lac were found in artifacts from the Mogollon and Ancestral Pueblo. Because insect lac is produced by insects (Tachardiella spp.) endemic to the desert lowlands, this indicates exchange of insect lac throughout the cultural regions of Arizona. This study illustrates the value of addressing a collection as a whole to increase understanding of prehistoric material culture and fabrication technology.
Advances in conservation employed at the Arizona State Museum have expanded the research options ... more Advances in conservation employed at the Arizona State Museum have expanded the research options for over 35,000 ethnographic and archaeological perishable objects since 2012. The Woven Wonders basketry conservation project has pro- vided increased access to the collection, instituted new conservation treatment technique, initiated new research topics, provided advanced educational oppor- tunities, instigated new forms of collaborative conservation, and reduced material loss from items in the collection. The Woven Wonders project was funded with a Save America’s Treasure grant, two Institute of Museum and Library Services grants, one Preservation Training Grant, two Kress Foundation grants, and numerous private donations. The project has resulted in a state-of- the-art visible storage vault with an adjacent interpretive gallery that is home to the Woven Through Time: American Treasures of Native Basketry and Fiber Art.
Many scale insects from around the world produce red dyes that historically have had great econom... more Many scale insects from around the world produce red dyes that historically have had great economic importance, which continues today as they are natural, light stable and non-toxic. There are several species of lac scales endemic to the Sonoran Desert. These species (Tachardiella genus) are in the same family (Keriidae) as the lac scales of Asia used in the commercial production of lac dye. These insects host on a specific plants and produce a polyester exudate that encases the female insects and eggs. The exudate (shellac) has been used since ancient times by cultures of the Southwest as an adhesive and sealant. There is no historical evidence of the use of the dye, which is present within the insects and eggs. The dyes from four Tachardiella spp. of the Southwest were extracted and analyzed with liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) at Smithsonian Institution. The dyes were determined to be laccaic acids, very similar in chemistry to lac dye.
Conservators from the Preservation Division of the Arizona State Museum are currently researching... more Conservators from the Preservation Division of the Arizona State Museum are currently researching the use of insect exudates in its archaeological and ethnographic collections. The survey of entire collections assessing materials and technology with focus led to discoveries about the collection, including findings of continuity between ancient and modern cultures. This poster will focus on the host plants, their distribution and associated lac producing insects found in the deserts of the American Southwest. Examples of the application of this material by ancient and modern peoples in the manufacture of a variety of artifact types will be described. Summary: Resinous materials on 150 artifacts were analyzed using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify insect lac. Out of these artifacts, 44% contained insect lac. The museum catalog records incorrectly identified most of the resinous material on these objects as plant resins. From this study of collections, we discovered similarities in the use of lac between historic and ancient cultures in the Southwest. Further studies of the ethnographic collections will continue to build on this research.
The peoples of the Southwest have long used various plant and insect exudates as an adhesive, put... more The peoples of the Southwest have long used various plant and insect exudates as an adhesive, putty, coating and paint binder. These materials include pinyon pine resin, mesquite gum, and insect lac (shellac). The conservation laboratory at the Arizona State Museum completed a survey of these materials in collections using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In this comprehensive study, over 150 artifacts were analyzed in ASM collections which span from the archaic to historic periods. Results document the earliest known uses of these materials and their continued use and trade through time. Results also demonstrate selective use based on their chemical and materials properties (solubility, hardness, melting point, etc.). This study discusses these new findings in the context of the materials reported in the early anthropological and ethnobotanical literature.
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Papers by Marilen Pool
The purpose of this research has been to broaden the current understanding of the biology and ecology of lac insects in the arid Southwest to elucidate more about indigenous cultural uses and traditional ecological knowledge of these materials in the region over time. By documenting known distributions of the insects, their host plants and manufactured materials, data has been gathered for analysis to search for meaningful relationships. Ultimately, the biological and anthropological investigation of lac scale exudate sources, distribution, extent of use, and of possible circulation through trade has further illuminated its cultural significance. This research has expanded the previously known boundaries of the distribution of both the Tachardiella species and the range of peoples who utilized them to manufacture cultural materials in the arid Southwest. The data gathered have formed a foundation from which to expand research with further resources for more detailed biological and chemical analysis, and ethnohistorical research.
Posters by Marilen Pool
The purpose of this research has been to broaden the current understanding of the biology and ecology of lac insects in the arid Southwest to elucidate more about indigenous cultural uses and traditional ecological knowledge of these materials in the region over time. By documenting known distributions of the insects, their host plants and manufactured materials, data has been gathered for analysis to search for meaningful relationships. Ultimately, the biological and anthropological investigation of lac scale exudate sources, distribution, extent of use, and of possible circulation through trade has further illuminated its cultural significance. This research has expanded the previously known boundaries of the distribution of both the Tachardiella species and the range of peoples who utilized them to manufacture cultural materials in the arid Southwest. The data gathered have formed a foundation from which to expand research with further resources for more detailed biological and chemical analysis, and ethnohistorical research.