FEWKES] SHELL ORNAMENTS FROM LITTLE COLORADO RUINS 



89 



Fl<; 



46. Incised armlet from Cbevlon timmljpr 

 157843). Diametc'i* about ;^^ inclies. 



of Pectuucuhis," which was worked iu many shapes, or preserved in 

 practically tlie same form as wlien taken from tlie sea. A number 

 of these were very fresh looking; otliers were more or less decayed. 



Some of the most eliaracteristie specimens are shells with round 

 holes in the middle. It would appear that these are ornaments: and 

 as one of these objects was found near the wrist bone of a man it was 

 judged to be a wristlet. It is suggestive that these perforated shells 

 were generally found in pairs, as though belonging to some dual 

 organ. 



Five specimens of perfomted Pectunculiis shells were found at 

 Chaves pass (one of them a 

 fragment smeared with gum), 

 and the same numberat lloiiio- 

 lobi. 



Peetuneulus shells were 

 worked into armlets, or large 

 rings,* bv cnttinirout tlie wliole 



middle of the shell, leaving the 



riui, which was ground to a 



smooth sui'face. The umbo 



was carved into a sliell-shape<l 



elevation, and the surface was often incised willi characteristic designs. 



The following specimens were found: 



Number Locality and description 



157824 Chaves pass: ;i specimens 



l.'iTOoO Chaves pass: 2 specimens 



157704 Chaves pass: found on a luimerns 



157295 Chevl<jn: witli inserted tnrqnoise 



157S4:^ Chevlon: with incised desijfn 



15(i7fiO Homolobi: 2 specimens 



157902 Homolobi: fragments 



There are also several fragments from an unknown locality. 



As a rule, the surface of these armlets is smooth and without 

 ornament, but one specimen (figure 40) was beautifullj- decorated with 

 a characteristic incised fret covering the wliole outer surface. The 

 design consisted of a series of lines interlocking at extremities, though 

 not joining. This figure is one of the simple forms of a characteristic 

 decorative motive widespread over the whole i)ueblo area. In its 

 simplest expression it appears as two crescents turned in opposite 

 directions, with the two horns adjac^ent. It is thus painted on tlie 

 breasts of certain katcinas (personations of supernatural beings), and 



a The following sjjecimens were taken from Homolobi, Cheylon, and Chaves pass: Number of 

 specimens, 114: incrusted with stone mosaic, 1: incrusted with pitch, 1: armlet, incised, 1: arm- 

 let, inlaid with turquoise. 1: armlets, not ornamented. Id ( many additional fragments i; wristlets, 

 44 (many additional fragmentsi: finser rings, 30 (many additional fragmentsi: fragments 

 incrusted on wood, 2; carved in imitation of frog, 1; shells not worked, 3; shells with medial 

 perfoi*ation, 20. 



''Popularly but erroneou.sly called '-earrings.'* 



