EMAP (1991) Classic Mimbres Iconography: An Investigation of Style, Symbol, and Meaning

The subject of this analysis of stylistic variation is the
pottery known as Classic Mimbres Black on White, specifically
the naturalistic bowls, which display images of animals
and/or humans. In an effort to locate and identify some
meaningful signifiers within the iconographic repertoire of
the Mimbres culture, the approach of pattern recognition is
utilized. A number of design elements were chosen upon
completion of a preliminary study which showed promise of
demonstrating some interrelation. The purpose of this
analysis is to determine whether Mimbres design elements also
exhibit evidence of formal variation as if part of a symbolic
communications system. It is widely accepted that
extrapolating symbol and meaning from artifact is at best
difficult (Chippendale; 1986 ). However, if these elements are
organized within a system created by the artisan's culture,
once patterns are recognized, the task of discovering meaning
can be approached with more confidence.