FEWKES] 



EFFIGY VASES FROM SOUTHERN ARIZONA 



191 



human effig3^ vases increases, unil they become very common in Chiaiias 

 and Oaxaca. But, it may be urged, wkj' is it necessary to interpret 

 this form as due to Mexican influence? The advocate of the inde- 

 pendent evolution of technology will doubtless say that the manufac- 

 ture of a human effigy vase is no great trick and had been evolved 

 independently again and again in different regions of aboriginal 

 United States. Some clever potter of the Nantacks, it may be said, 

 invented this form. Why, it might be asked in reply, did not the 

 potters north of the Mogollones also invent the same form? for they 

 were equally skilled, and their ceramic ware was more variegated 

 and elaborate. What explanation is offered on the theory of inde- 

 pendent invention of the increase in the relative number of effigy 

 vases as we go south? 



It seems probable that the presence of human effigy vases in south- 

 ern Arizona and their absence in 

 the northern part of the Territorj^ 

 is in harmony with a theory of 

 the influence of Mexican art in 

 the former region. While rec- 

 ognizing the potency of this in- 

 fluence in southern Arizona, we 

 are not necessarily called upon 

 to accept a connection among all 

 potters who have nuide human 

 effigy vases, or even between 

 those of ancient Arkansas ;ind 

 Chihuahua, whose effigy i)rod- 

 ucts have some similarity. 



There are many like ceramic 

 forms and decorations among 

 different people, invented inde- 

 pendently, and there is no reason 

 to doubt that human effigies in 

 the form of vases were so in- 

 vented in several well-known 



instances. There are also cases where identity in form and symbol 

 can better be explained bj' barter. Possibly the effigy vase described 

 above belongs to the latter categorj'. It would l)e premature to 

 build conclusions on a single specimen, and more information regard- 

 ing the distribution of ancient human effigy vases in the Southwest is 

 desired. These vases have not yet been found in Arizona north of 

 the White mountains, but they are represented from several local- 

 ities in the south. The question awaiting answer is, "What is their 

 northernmost extension? 



An effigy vase found near San Jose (figure 122) is instructive as 

 recalling a kind of pottery common in the northern Mexican states. 



Fig. 122. Effigy vase from Pueblo Viejo 

 (number 177332). 



