Ceramic: McElmo Black-on-white, bowl, AZRU1-832

McElmo Black-on-white, bowl, Accession AZRU-00001 Catalog #832. Morris FS 4226. CULTURALLY SENSITIVE: NAGPRA ARTIFACT; ACCESS RESTRICTED. Analyzed by Lori Reed 2011. Temper is granular and porphyritic igneous rock suggesting manufacture in the Middle San Juan region. Vessel is 100% restored with unknown adhesive. Measurements: 19 cm diameter, 8.2 cm height. Image AZRU1-832 A: interior view showing design. Image AZRU1-832 B: interior view showing design. Image AZRU1-832 C: closeup view of interior design. Image AZRU1-832 D: view of exterior surface. Recovered from Earl Morris excavation of Room 43, Burial 81, Aztec West Ruin. Earl Morris’ description of Room 43 at the time of excavation is as follows. “….two floor levels were found in Room 43. In the center of the upper floor was a fire pit lined with sandstone. Between the floors were 3- feet of refuse containing some fallen wall stones and timbers, large pine logs, small round poles, and cedar splints, composing the full quota of wooden elements for a ceiling. This refuse was a Chaco deposit from which came a mammal bone awl and a ladle of black-on-white ware (Field Nos. 4230, 4653) and numerous potsherds. Burial 81 was beneath the lower floor. West of the center of the south wall is a blocked and almost obliterated door. Built up in the room against it was a masonry ventilator shaft, like those with which kivas were equipped, extending down to the lower floor.” (Morris 1928:296) 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. For burials see 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.