NO. 6 SMITHSONIAN EXPLORATIONS, I914 6j 



It was found that the ancient people of the Mimbres disposed of 

 their dead by inhumation, or earth burial, under the floors of their 

 rooms, and that almost invariably they covered the head or face 

 with a mortuary bowl. This bowl was artificially punctured, or 

 " killed," before it was deposited with the dead, and in many 

 instances the necklaces, bracelets, and other ornaments of the 

 deceased were left on the body. 



National Museum. 



Many of the dead were buried in a sitting posture or in the well- 

 known contracted position ; the bodies of some were extended at 

 length or placed on one side. Evidences of cremation were not 

 noticed, but charcoal, ashes of burnt timber, and charred corn were 

 repeatedly found in the course of excavating. Several types of 

 stone implements, a few of which are unique, were brought to light 

 by the explorations made by Doctor Fewkes in the ruins of Mimbres 

 Valley. Among the latter may be mentioned a form of rubbing 

 stone, flat on one side but round on the opposite, in the convex surface 



