Archeology of the lower Mimbres valley, New MexicoFewkes, Jesse Walter
History
Archeology of the lower Mimbres valley, New Mexico
Fewkes, Jesse Walter
Mimbres River Valley (N.M.) -- Antiquities
_Bird A._—The figure shown in plate 3, figure 1, is represented by two
designs, practically the same, repeated so far as appendages go, but
quite different in the ornamentation of their bodies. One of these has
the same geometrical figure on its body as on one of the quadruped
pictures, the second has a different design. Both birds have wings
outspread as if in flight, in which the feathers are well drawn in
detail, especially the wing on the side turned toward the observer.
That on the opposite side is simply uniformly black. The feathers of
its companion on the other side of the bowl are indicated by parallel
lines. The tail is long and forked at the extremity, suggesting a
hawk, and is decorated for two-thirds of its length with cross-hatched
and parallel lines. A triangular appendage arises from the under side
of the tail at the point where the line decoration ends, forming an
appendage which is likewise represented in the companion picture.
_Bird B._—Bird B (pl. 3, fig. 2) is painted on the interior of a food
bowl of black and white ware, ten inches in diameter by five inches
deep. Its body is oval, the head erect and undecorated, and the tail
twisted from a horizontal into a vertical plane as is customary in
representation of lateral views of birds from Pueblo ruins. The
geometric figure on the body is unfortunately somewhat obscured by the
plaster used in mending, but several parallel bars that may represent
feathers of the wings show through it, and a number of other designs or
parallel lines are apparent. An appendage of triangular form hangs from
the lower margin of the body and indicates the position of one leg; the
other leg is missing.
_Bird C._—Bird C, shown in plate 4, figure 1, occurs on a black and
white bowl that measures ten inches in diameter, five and one-half
inches in depth. The figure occupies the circular zone in the middle
of the bowl and is enclosed by parallel lines which surround the bowl
near the rim. The top of the head, which is globular, is white in
color, the beak projecting and the eyes comparatively large. The body
is likewise globular and is covered by a square geometrical design the
details of which are considerably obscured by the hole in the middle
of the jar. A number of parallel lines of unequal length, turned
downward, hang from the rear of the body and form the tail. The long
legs suggest a wading bird, and the widely extended claws point to the
same identification.
_Bird D._—One of the most instructive figures of birds occurs on a
bowl from Oldtown ruin. This bowl (fig. 24) is now owned by Mr. E. D.
Osborn, by whom it was found. The bird depicted on it is seen from the
back; its wings are drooping, and parallel lines indicate feathers. The
legs, drawn backward, terminate in three toes, and the tail, slightly
bent to one side, is composed of several feathers.
[Illustration: FIG. 24.—Bird D. (Osborn collection.)]
[Illustration: FIG. 29.—Unidentified animal. Oldtown Ruin. (Osborn
collection.)]
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