American indian basketry was, and is the finest in the world. With proper materials and skill they were self sealing when wet, if not allready watertight. There is a collection at L.A.s Southwest Museum ranging from showpieces so tiny they require magnifying glasses to view up to baskets the size of jacuzzis- and used as same! Water supplies were a lot cleaner back then, and I suspect people's internal cultures more in tune with their world. Indians did indeed do a great deal of boiling food. What they also did, was THINK and PREPARE. There is an erroneous myth of THE NOBLE SAVAGE who could be dropped in Death Valley and have a wickiup, rabbit skin robe and dinner cooking by sundown. Those people carried gear just like us, though a porcupine quill embroidered pouch looks better than a Altoid tin <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Along with gourds, other world options include ostrich eggs, large bamboo canteens, large leaves , leather bags( Bota Bags) and my personal favourite- a traditional chianti bottle with the braided wrapper suspended from a belt.