The clam basket represents a highly successful solution to an everyday problem in Northwest Coast life. Baskets made to hold clams as they are dug must be rigid and strong, but must allow water and mud to pass through the walls when the clams are rinsed. The solution was a large, flaring basket of split spruce or cedar root in the open wrapped twining technique. The basket, full of clams, can be plunged up and down in the water, and the sand and mud clinging to the shells are quickly removed, draining through the sieve-like sides. (Holm, Crooked Beak of Heaven, 1972)

Basketry, matted and woven fragments incrusted in mud. One large matted piece approx. 43x50cm, and many other non-connected pieces of various weaves. Also contained lots of scattered debris, and one piece of charred wood. The only tag identifying the object was a large one with the site #, accn. #, and #53 (1of 2), (this was crossed out). However, the object fit the "Basketry Description Card " (see below). I rehoused it as such, in two boxes that filled the drawer. The tag was removed to archives. B. Avery 9/5/05. Information from field Basketry Card (see Archaeology Archives): Description: Basketry Matting Estimated Size: Big Handles: n/a Rim: n/a Body: Both open twining and (Checker 1, bottom only) weaving - coarse gauge. Bottom: Large checker(1) - weave - coarse - possibly made out of bark, falling apart. Bark alternating with reeds or smaller strips of bark. Provenience: Cut: 7N 6E Horiz. Loc.: 64S - 7N - 0E - 6E Depth: 72cm Bottom Measurements: Body Measurements: (Warps below are stickes, not continuation of bottom bark warps) Warp Max: 3.10 Warp Max: .70 Warp Min: 2.50 Warp Min: .50 Warp Mean: 2.77 Warp Mean: .56 Weft Max: 2.60 Weft Max: .90 Weft Min: 2.30 Weft Min: .60 Weft Mean: 2.75 Weft Mean: .75 Remarks: A lot of mud - generally a mess - small pieces of basket inside (protruding slightly) one piece checker medium gauge and other pen twining medium gauge. Stick with charcoal also sticking out.

Basketry frament with some open twined construction showing, but mainly a pile of material as described in Basketry Card (below). Rehoused 09/05/2005. Tag associated with object was extremely faded, but indentations revealed #577. Tag was removed (see archives). B. Avery. Information from Field Basketry Card (see archives): Description: Basket Estimated Size: Large/ Probably Handles: n/a Rim: n/a Body: Very bad shape. Probably open twining, coarse grain. A lot of sticks laying in one direction. Provenience: Cut: 0N-18E Horiz. Loc: 20S-0N-190E-18E Depth: 136cm Warp Max: 1.00 Warp Min: .45 Warp Mean: .67 Weft Max: .80 Weft Min: .50 Weft Mean: .65 Remarks: None

Basketry remnant. The description on the "Basektry Card" does not match this object, with the possible execption of the "body". This was a jumbled pile of material with little original integrity, or evidence of construction. It was rehoused 06/26/04. I removed one original tag with object number that was taped onto the cardboard support, the object number was also written on the cardboard. B. Avery Information from field Basketry Card (see Archaeology Archives): Description: Basket rim Estimated Size: Medium (probably) Handles: Small handles (3) - Probably decorative type 5.5cm long Rim: False braided type of rim. (5 pieces) Body: Remnants of body - possibly open twining. Various lengths, average width about 1 cm. Bottom: Provenience: Cut: 4N 24 E Horiz. Loc.: 330S-4N-220E- 24E Depth: 138cm

Basketry material. Objects cataloged as 48a, and 48b, were a jumbled mess and indistinguishable as separate objects. They were rehoused together as 48a-b. They are housed in one box, but elements are labled separated into additional boxes. These include: one box of bagged loose clay chunks, that had separated from what may have been 48a.; one box of pieces of wood (48b?); one box of loose remnants of possible netting (48b?); one box of basketry remains imbedded in clay (48a?): and one bag of loose debris. Three tags were removed, one original tag 48b; and two museum tags with accesion number and catalog number for each 48a and 48b. none were tied to an object, but placed at opposite ends of the board on which the objects were placed. 06/24/04 B. Avery Information from field Basketry Card (see Archaeology Archives): Detailed descrition: Assorted Handles: n/a Rim: n/a Body: One Radio carbon sample - 4 pieces of stick 2.3/ 2.2/.2 - 6.3/ dia 2.5 - 7.2/2.7/1.5 - 5.8/3.87/.4 (birch bark) - fish net and various fragments of it. Open twing 1 stitch per-inch and a quarta Bottom: n/a Provenience: Cut: 7N 15E Horiz. Loc.: 200S - 7N - 140E - 15E Depth: 103 cm WArp Max: 1.00 Warp Min: .30 Warp Mean: .46 Weft Max: .10 Weft Min: .20 Weft Mean: .15

Basketry material. Objects cataloged as 48a, and 48b, were a jumbled mess and indistinguishable as separate objects. They were rehoused together as 48a-b. They are housed in one box, but elements are labled separated into additional boxes. These include: one box of bagged loose clay chunks, that had separated from what may have been 48a.; one box of pieces of wood (48b?); one box of loose remnants of possible netting (48b?); one box of basketry remains imbedded in clay (48a?): and one bag of loose debris. Three tags were removed, one original tag 48b; and two museum tags with accesion number and catalog number for each 48a and 48b. none were tied to an object, but placed at opposite ends of the board on which the objects were placed. 06/24/04 B. Avery Information from field Basketry Card (see Archaeology Archives): Detailed description: Basket Estimated size: large Handles: n/a Rim: n/a Body: A lot of clay associated with what may have been a net. Open twining - 1 stitch per inch - large massive mess Bottom: n/a Provenience: Cut: 7N 15E Horiz. Loc.: 200S - 7N - 140E - 15E Depth: 103 cm Warp Max: .40 Warp Min: .25 Warp Mean: .36 Weft Max: .20 Weft Min: .10 Weft Mean: .14

Basketry fragment in thick pile, overall approx. 25 x 26.5cm. Bark strips are 1.5cm wide. Rehoused 05/25/04. I left museum tag with acc# and object # in place. B. Avery Information from field Basketry Card (see Archaeology Archives): Handles: n/a Rim: n/a Body: Possible bottom, open twining of coarse gauge from main remains of bottom Bottom: Checker 1 weave - but unequal warp and weft, coarse. Material: Cedar bark Provenience: n/a Cut: n/a Horiz. Loc.: n/a Depth: n/a Warp Max: 2.10 cm - Body Warp Min: 1.40 cm Warp Mean: 1.79 cm Weft Max: 1.50 cm Weft Min: 1.00 cm Weft Mean: 1.07 cm Warp Max: 3.10 cm - Bottom Warp Min: 1.60 cm Warp Mean: 2.21 cm Weft Max: 2.00 cm Weft Min: 1.40 cm Weft Mean: 1.67 cm

Basketry fragment of twisted and knotted lenghts of material. Could be handle described in Basketry Carrd, but there was no sign of described body or other remnant. (note: #621 has description of handle and body remnants, but only has body). Rehoused 05/25/04, I left museum tag with acc# and object# on obeject. B. Avery. Information from field Basketry Card (see Archaeology Archives): Handles: Large twisted handle remnant unattached. Rim: n/a Body: Small remnants of coarse grain open twining Bottom: n/a Provenience Cut: n/a Horiz. Loc.: n/a Depth: n/a Warp Max: 1.50 cm Warp Min: .80 cm Warp Mean: 1.16 cm Weft Max: .83 cm Weft Min: .60 cm Weft Mean: .71 cm Material: Cedar roots Remarks: A lot of loose stuff.

Squarish piece of woven split cedar, with associated black "conglomerate" of unknown material. Rehoused 05/26/04. Put conglomerate in bag of debris with object. Left museum tag with acc# and catalog# on object.B. Avery. Information from field Basketry Card (see Archaeology Archives): Handles: none Rim: none Body: Twill type construction. Coares gauge. Bottom: Provenience: Cut: n/a Horiz. Loc.: n/a Depth: n/a Warp Max: 1.06 Warp Min: .80 Warp Mean: .88 Weft Max: 1.20 Weft Min: .80 Weft Mean: .87 Remarks: Piece of conglomerate associated. Delicate condition.

Large basketry fragment with two hanldes side by side on rim. Third handle is not attached. Good intregrity of design, but fragile condition. Rehoused 05/26/04, I left museum tag with acc# and object#. Bagged debris from object housed with it. B. Avery. Information from field Basketry Card (see Archaeology Archives): Handles: 3 handles twisted variety - 2 right next to eachother Rim: Twisted and wrapped variety - wraped and folded constructions Body: Open twining - coarse gauge Bottom: none Provenience: Cut: n/a Horiz. Loc.: n/a Depth: n/a Warp Max: .70 Warp Min: .30 Warp Mean: .55 Weft Max: .75 Weft Min: .50 Weft Mean: .61 Material: Split bark or cedar root