Ceramic: Mesa Verde Black-on-white, mug, AZRU1-855

Mesa Verde Black-on-white mug, Accession AZRU-00001 Catalog #855. Morris FS 3122. CULTURALLY SENSITIVE: NAGPRA ARTIFACT; ACCESS RESTRICTED. Analyzed by Lori Reed 2011. 100% complete. Measurements: 7.4 cm diameter, 8.5 cm height. Sherd and granular igneous rock temper indicating local production. Image AZRU1-855 A: top view showing painted rim design. Image AZRU1-855 B: view of base showing wear around outer edge (base is slightly concave and wear is on outer edge). Image AZRU1-855 C: exterior view showing painted design. Image AZRU1-855 D: exterior view of handle showing painted design. Image AZRU1-855 E: exterior view showing use wear at rim. Image AZRU1-855 F: closeup of exterior rim surface showing use wear. Recovered from Earl Morris excavation of Room 139, Burial 27, Aztec West Ruin . Earl Morris’ description of Room 139 at the time of excavation is as follows: “When the writer broke through the veneer of masonry which sealed the north side of the door leading into Room 139 from Room 143, the condition of the ceiling dictated a hasty retreat. The supports were of cedar instead of pine. Evidently realizing the brittleness of this kind of wood, the builders spanned the room with two pairs of logs, each pair taking the place of the customary single beam of pine. On the floor of the room was dry refuse with a fairly large admixture of vegetable substance. This refuse was very rich in specimens.” (Morris 1928:366)
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.