Ceramic: Mesa Verde Black-on-white, mug, AZRU1-875

Mesa Verde Black-on-white, mug, Accession AZRU-00001 Catalog #875. Morris FS 5161. Analyzed by Lori Reed 2011. Temper is granular igneous rock suggesting manufacture at Aztec. Vessel is 100% complete with 20% reconstruction using unknown plaster material. Measurements: 7.4 cm diameter, 7.5 cm height. Image AZRU1-875 A: top view showing orifice and painted rim. Image AZRU1-875 B: top view showing orifice and painted rim. Image AZRU1-875 C: view of exterior base. Image AZRU1-875 D: side view showing design. Image AZRU1-875 E: side view showing design. Image AZRU1-875 F: side view showing design. Image AZRU1-875G: side view showing design. Recovered from Earl Morris excavation of Room A.15, Aztec West Ruin Annex. Earl Morris’ (1924: 235-236) description of the room is as follows: “Room A.15 was 6 feet 7 inches wide at the east end; 5 feet of the south wall and 8 feet of the north remained, but the balance of these and the entire west wall were destroyed beyond recognition. The floors of this room and A. 14 were at the same level. The walls had been tinted red. Against the center of the eastern wall was a masonry pilaster 2 feet long and 8 inches wide. Three grinding bins were set into the floor in a row extending from the south wall to within 1 foot 3 inches of the north…In the refuse westward of Room A.15 was a mug (Field No. 5161).”
Reference: Earl Morris, 1924, Burials in the Aztec Ruin and the Aztec Ruin Annex, Anthropological Papers of the American Museum of Natural History Vol. XXVI, Parts III and IV, American Museum of Natural History, New York.