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SMITHSONIAN EXPLORATIONS, I92I 



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preceded another in evolution. For the present, then, our knowledge 

 of sequence of types of pottery is largely derived from descriptions 

 and not generalizations. But our archeological method permits us to 

 determine the main features of a stage of culture among the Indians 

 of which little is historically known. For instance, previous to the 

 year 191 5 we were ignorant of the manners and customs of the people 



Fig. 82. — Archaic black and white ware, coarse decoration, 

 Far View House Village. Necropolis, Mesa Verde National 

 Park. Size: 3J^ by 3 inches. (Photograph by De Lancey 

 Gill.) 



who inhabited the Mimbres Valley, New Mexico. Documentary his- 

 tory is silent about them. Through archeological studies data are 

 being brought to light year by year by which our knowledge of these 

 Indians is greatly advanced. Pictures on ancient pottery often impart 

 more information than written descriptions and are most important in 

 the study of lost races. During the last few years Mr. E. D. Osborn, 

 of Deming, New Mexico, has from time to time sent to the bureau 

 many unique photographs of mortuary bowls (figs. 84-86), some of 



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