A Quantitative Method for Recognizing the Same Hands in Mimbres Black-on-White Pottery

A number of researchers have sought to identify the works of individual Mimbres artists in the archaeological record. Steven LeBlanc recently called for the development of quantitative methods through which to assess such identifications. In this paper, we propose such a methodology. Through a process of pair-wise, micro-stylistic comparisons, we demonstrate how bowls painted by the same hands are linked in chain-like fashion. By “same hands”, we refer to an individual or group of closely collaborating individuals. Our method takes into account diachronic development of artistic skill, variation in subject matter, and the transfer of style and technique between artist and apprentice. Results generated by our method can contribute to larger theoretical issues and research questions (see Hegmon and Russell 2012).