NO. 8 DESIGNS ON MIMBRES POTTERY — FEWKES I 5 



covered by a chevron-shaped zone of alternate black and white 

 squares forming a checkerboard decoration reminding one of the 

 figure of the sun elsewhere shown. It is possible that this is a repre- 

 sentation of some mythological being, or symbol associated with sun 

 worship; but too little is known of the Mimbreno m\1:hology to 

 properly identify it. 



GEOMETRICAL DESIGNS 



The Mimbres geometrical designs are quite unlike those described 

 from pueblo areas. Several geometric designs are negative figures or 

 white designs brought out by black backgrounds. The most abundant 

 geometric figures are the interlocking slanting terraces, one covered 

 with hachure, the other plain black. In all the figures rectilinear lines 

 predominate and zigzags are the most pronounced. It is wonderful 

 how many different designs can be produced by a modification of the 

 two interlocking terraces, parallel lines and cruciform figures. All 

 geometric designs are limited to the inside surface of mortuary bowls, 

 the exterior being destitute of decoration. There are no broken 

 encircling lines. 



The characteristic geometrical patterns of the Mimbres ware, on 

 account of their strictly American character no less than their great 

 artistic beauty, are particularly good as patterns for decoration of 

 fabrics and specialists have already begun working on them with this 

 thought in mind. They are as unlike those of prehistoric potterv from 

 other pueblo areas as are the various realistic designs already con- 

 sidered. Their significance cannot be determined — a condition true 

 of most pueblo geometric figures — but irrespective of that they are 

 of the utmost importance in determining by comparative methods of 

 the relations of the pottery and hence the relation of subcultures 

 of our Southwest which is the home of the pueblos. The general 

 characters of the geometrical patterns may be seen in figures 60 

 et seq., no two of which are identical. It will be seen on examination 

 of these figures that the majority are linear designs with now and 

 then curved lines. Among other figures may be identified the cross, 

 stars, broad arrow, squares, triangles, checkerboard and other figures. 



The designs are simple, either covering the whole interior surface 

 of the food bowl or confined to the periphery leaving a central circu- 

 lar, rectangular or other formed area without decoration. 



The design on figure 61 represents a four-pointed star outlined 

 in pure black and filled with a hachure. Its center is occupied by a 

 geometric figure with a number of concentric smaller rectangles 

 2 



