Archeology of the lower Mimbres valley, New MexicoFewkes, Jesse Walter
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Archeology of the lower Mimbres valley, New Mexico
Fewkes, Jesse Walter
Mimbres River Valley (N.M.) -- Antiquities
The head is globular with two eyes on the back and a short pointed
beak. As in all other zoic figures the geometric figures on the back
of the body are the most characteristic. The middle of the body is
occupied by an oval design through which may be seen the perforation
with which the bowl was killed. At one end there is a triangular design
with cross lines which extend partly over the oval figure where, except
at one point, they are obscure.
Four quadrilateral designs are distributed at intervals around the
oval figure. Each of these has sides of about equal length and a dot
medially placed in a smaller figure contained in a larger.
_Bird E._—The bird shown in figure 25 (p. 35) from the Osborn ruin has
a body form not unlike that of plate 4, figure 1, but the geometric
design on the body, although rectangular, has incurved sides and is
covered with cross lines suggesting a net. Its neck is girt by four
rings, head small, without feathers, eye minute, bill comparatively
long and pointed recalling that of a snipe which is also suggested by
long legs and in a measure by the form of the tail.
This bird is undoubtedly aquatic, as indicated by the figure of a fish
which it appears to be on the point of capturing or devouring.
_Bird F._—The bird shown in plate 4, figure 2, is different from any
of the above and is distinguished readily by the four curved lines
on the head suggesting the quail. The pointed tail is marked above
and below with dentations, formed by a series of rectangular figures
which diminish in size from body attachment to tip. The body itself is
marked posteriorly with parallel lines, rectangular and curved figures
suggesting wings.
[Illustration: FIG. 26.—Bird G. Oldtown Ruin. (Osborn collection.)
Diam. 10″.]
The bowl (fig. 26) has three animals figured upon it forming a
graceful combination. The most striking represents a long-billed bird
with one wing notched on the inner margin. The tail of this bird is
differently drawn from any of the other birds in the collection and has
representations of six feathers. In front of this bird, with the point
of the snout at the tip of the bill of the bird, is a lizard-shaped
head covered with scales and two round eyes. The other remarkable
figure also has extended forelegs, but the body is so broken that
identification is quite impossible. Like the figure of the lizard, it
also has a lozenge head and two eyes. The geometrical designs on the
body are characteristic.
ANIMALS NOT IDENTIFIED
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