Ceramic: Mesa Verde Black-on-white, kiva jar, AMNH 29.1/3212, 3213

Northern San Juan, Mesa Verde Black-on-white, kiva jar, Accession 29.1, Catalog #3212 (Morris FS 4750) and 3213 (Morris FS 4751). Catalog 3212 is the kiva jar and 3213 is the lid. CULTURALLY SENSITIVE: NAGPRA ARTIFACT; ACCESS RESTRICTED. Analyzed by Lori Reed 2004. Temper is diorite porphyry indicating production in the central Mesa Verde region. Kiva jar is restored with unknown adhesive and lid is complete. Measurements: 8 cm orifice diameter, 15.6 cm height. Image AMNH 29.1/3212, 3213 A: base view of kiva jar showing slightly recessed base and hard surface wear. Image AMNH 29.1/3212, 3213 B: side view of kiva jar showing design. Image AMNH 29.1/3212, 3213 C: top view showing kiva jar rim and painted design. Image AMNH 29.1/3212, 3213 D: top view with lid. Image AMNH 29.1/3212, 3213 E: closeup of rim. Recovered from Earl Morris excavation of Room 178, Grave 83, Aztec West Ruin. The description by Morris states that “Room 178 was one of the chambers with intact ceiling overlooked by the early settlers in the Aztec vicinity who burrowed so diligently in their search for open rooms. It was empty, except for a layer of rats' nests infiltrated with sandy earth left by the winds and rains of centuries. The Warrior's Grave, was against the north wall. There was no refuse in this chamber, the only specimen it contained, in addition to those in the burial, being a coiled basket plaque found on the floor under the doorway in the south end of the west wall. Originally there was a doorway in each end of the room. A puzzling feature of this room is a vertical row of five flat sandstones protruding 3 to 5 inches from the face of the masonry…” (Morris 1928:387)
Reference: Earl Morris, 1928, Notes on Excavations in the Aztec Ruin, Volume XXVI, Part V, Anthropological Papers of the American Museum of Natural History, New York.