ANCIENT PUEBLOS OF UPPER GILA REGION. 



117 



Fig. 276. — Pottery 



FIGUIilNB FROM SPUR 



Ranch. 



The specimen, figure 264, appears to represent a dog, and others in 

 the group probably have the same original. Pottery figurines un- 

 doubtedly of this animal, executed with considerable spirit, were 

 taken from the ancient Hopi ruins in the Jettyto Valley by the 

 writer.^ 



Bird figurines are invariably made to repre- 

 sent a hollow vessel (fig. 276, Cat. No. 231915, 

 U.S.N.M.), and probably have a different pur- 

 pose from the figurines described. The figure 

 represents a duck, and may have either been 

 used as an offering or to contain some sacred 

 substance used in cult. (Length, 2| inches; 

 width. If inches; height, 1^ inches. Spur Ranch, Luna, New Mex- 

 ico.) What appears to be a hand figurine was found in Tularosa 

 Cave (fig. 277, Cat. No. 246526, U.S.N.M.), and its possible connec- 

 tion with the hand censer of Mexico may be suggested. 



SPBING PAHOS. 



In clearing out springs the settlers of 

 the Southwest have often found small pot- 

 tery, beads, shells, etc., in the debris, show- 

 ing that the custom of offering to springs 

 had been quite common among the Pueblo 

 Indians. Studies made of the present 

 Pueblos indicate that the custom is still kept up, and the spring 

 worship is known to be very important now as it was in ancient 

 times. The usual offering, or the commonest offering, that has, from 

 its durability, come down to us is of pottery, and from some springs, 

 like that noble fountain which is the source of 

 Apache Creek in the Gallo Mountains, great 

 quantities of miniature vessels have been taken. 

 These were ordinarily very rudely formed, only 

 suggestive of the domestic vessels (figs. 278- 

 284), and among these are squared forms, as 

 in figure 280, which do not occur in the pottery 

 of the region. Coiled vessels (fig. 284) and 

 vessels showing obscure coiling lines (figs. 285, fig. 278. — pottery offee- 

 286) occur. Sometimes well-finished vessels of ^^^ ^^om gai.lo sr^i^a. 

 ordinary size (fig. 287, Cat. No. 245787, U.S.N.M., 3 inches high, of 

 polished red-brown ware) were deposited, no doubt from the nearer 

 villages, from which transportation would be easy. Pahos were no 

 doubt placed in the water, but these perishable offerings soon disap- 

 peared. Larger objects of wood, in the form of a snake, have 



Fig. 277. — Pottery figurine 

 FROM Tularosa Cave. 



iRep. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1901, pi. 90. 



