Ceramic: Mesa Verde Black-on-white, bowl, AZRU1-840

Mesa Verde Black-on-white, bowl, Accession AZRU-00001 Catalog #840. Morris FS 5473. Analyzed by Lori Reed 2011. Vessel is 100% complete with about 20% reconstruction with unknown plaster material. Measurements: 28 cm orifice diameter, 12.4 cm height. Granular igneous rock temper suggests local production at Aztec Ruin. Image AZRU1-840 A: exterior view showing painted design. Image AZRU1-840 B: view of exterior showing design. Image AZRU1-840 C: view of interior showing design. Image AZRU1-840 D: view of interior showing design. Image AZRU1-840 E: view of interior showing design. Image AZRU1-840 F: view of exterior base. Image AZRU1-840 G: closeup of interior design. Recovered from Earl Morris excavation of Room 193, Aztec West Ruin. Earl Morris’ description of Room 193 at the time of excavation is as follows. “….refuse that had been deposited on the second floor, including fragments of a considerable number of very fine medium-sized water jars and mugs that were shattered, possibly intentionally, judging from their number and the fact that they were practically new and of the same potter. Another atypical Chaco water jar had the entire surface completely hidden by a coat of lacquer bearing an elaborate design in yellow, red, and black” (Morris 1928:362). 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.