[Aztlan] Hammocks

[ECOLING at aol.com]

Justin:

I agree with Covarrubias *and* with Justin.

The carrying litter (for long distance travel of elite?)
and the hammock seem quite distinct to me, 
one partly analogous to the military commander's Palanquin in function,
not merely in form (the poles).

If one could make the one, one could make the other, as Justin says.

However, I wouldn't use hammocks per se as an indication of deep history,
because they can be easily re-invented anywhere they are needed
(to keep away from noxious ground animals?).
Combined with other cultural items,
they might possibly indicate the extent of a "culture area",
as Kathryn Josserand has suspected for Mayan links with South America.
But since the jungles where their use is needed pretty much
coincide with that area (I'm assuming, without knowing,
actual evidence needed of course), functional need might be
the stronger influence on whether they are present or not.

Best wishes,
Lloyd


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