Cordage was made from materials indigenous to this region: palm leaves, palm fibers, and rushes. Cords had various uses as packaging and reinforcing material and as handles for baskets.

11Q
Fragment A: Length 26 cm (10 1/8 in.)
Width 16.5 cm (6 1/2 in.)
Fragment B: Length 21.2 cm (8 1/4 in.)
Width 19.5 cm (7 5/8 in.)
Four courses preserved
Technique: Braid of 13 elements in
2/2 twill plaiting
Courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority (77, 78)
Because of the exceptional conditions inside the caves of
the Dead Sea region, several baskets and mats of plaited weave
survived intact, allowing the reconstruction of weaving or
plaiting techniques. The Qumran plaited basket is made of a
single braid ("zefira" in Mishnaic terms) composed of several
elements (qala`ot) and spiraling from base to rim. The coiled
braid was not sewn together; instead, successive courses were
joined around cords as the weaving progressed. In a complete
basket the cords are not visible, but they form horizontal ridges
and a ribbed texture. Each basket had two arched handles made of
palm-fiber rope attached to the rims by passing reinforcing cords
through the plaited body of the basket.

The cordage on display represents binding materials of varying thickness and use. Fragment A may have functioned as a ridge or reinforcing cord. Fragments B-D are heavier cords and may have been used in packaging or to tie bundles and waterskins. Fragment E (image not available for online exhibit) is a detached handle.
Fragment A:
Cord
Palm leaves
1Q and 2Q
Diameter 3 mm (1/8 in.)
Technique: 2-ply cable, final twist
in "S" direction (z2s)
Fragments B-D:
Ropes
Palm leaves and undeterimined rushes
Diameter 7-10 mm (1/4-7/16 in.)
Technique: 3-ply cable, final twist "Z" (s3z);
one rope has an overhand knot
Fragment E:
(image not available for online exhibit)
Heavy Rope
Diameter 15-20 mm (5/8-13/16 in.)
Technique: Compound 3-ply cable,
final twist "Z" (z3s3z)
Courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority (79-83)
