Researcher Analyzes Ancient West Texas Fiber Collection
The 800 artifacts are being cataloged for a community-focused workshop in early 2027.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Needlework
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Lauren Bussiere of the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory in Austin is currently analyzing over 800 ancient fiber artifacts from West Texas. This long-overlooked collection, excavated in the 1930s, offers new insight into the lives of people who occupied the Rustler Hills until 1450 CE.
Why it matters
The study marks a shift in how research institutions catalog and share cultural history, moving from simply housing items to actively connecting them with descendant communities. Bussiere is cataloging these fragile nets and sandals to make this history accessible for the first time.
The study focuses on 800 fiber artifacts drawn from a massive repository of more than 50 million items. Researchers are currently working to identify the specific plants used to create the items, which originate from sites occupied until 1450 CE.
The players
Lauren Bussiere
She serves as the head of collections at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory.
Texas Archeological Research Laboratory
This Austin-based facility acts as a repository for more than 50 million archaeological artifacts.
The details
Bussiere is meticulously documenting the dimensions, warp, weft, and ply of each artifact, including nets crafted with a specific sheet bend knot technique. These items were retrieved from five caves in Culberson County during the 1930s but have remained largely unstudied. The project aims to prepare the collection for a workshop in early 2027 that will invite descendant tribal communities to interact with the materials.
Timeline
1930s: Excavation of the artifacts from the Rustler Hills.
1450 CE: Final year of human occupation in the caves.
Early 2027: Planned workshop at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory.
The Texas Context
The project follows the spirit of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act by prioritizing access for descendant communities. This marks a departure from historic curation practices that often left items from overlooked regions like the Rustler Hills unstudied for decades.
Locals interested in state history can track the progress of this collection as researchers document the fiber techniques used by inhabitants of the Rustler Hills. Interested parties can sign up for updates on the upcoming 2027 workshop to see how this research unfolds.
The takeaway
Ancient fiber techniques provide a tangible link to the past that researchers are only now beginning to fully decode. Follow the progress of this project and register for updates to ensure you receive notice of the planned 2027 workshop for descendant communities.
What happens next
A workshop to connect descendant communities with the collection is scheduled for early 2027 at the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory.
Further reading
Learn more about local textile history in the Needlework section.
More information
Sign up for registration for workshop updates to receive notifications about the 2027 event.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Texas Public Radio.
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Should historical artifacts be prioritized for access by local descendant communities over academic research?
