Mimbres Pottery

A wide variety of animals, including many religiously symbolic animals, is depicted in Classic Black-on-White pottery, including fish, birds, bats, lizards, frogs, rabbits, and turtles. While the images of animals, fish, birds and human figures are highly stylized, details are often emphasized. Images of animal and fish species provide tremendous insight into Mimbres life ways.

Nonhuman mammals, including rabbits comprise about 26% of all figurative images on Classic vessels (Brody 179). Rabbits are common symbols of the moon in the Southwest and Central America. Apparently the Mimbres, as well as the Maya, observed and recorded celestial occurrences, incorporating them into their mythology. A compelling image of a rabbit holding a circular object emanating 23 rays represents the supernova that created the crab nebula in 1054 AD. Visible for 23 days, the position of the supernova relative to the moon corresponds to the disc relative to the rabbit (Peterson 396). Other images show a crane, associated with lunar eclipses in Mesoamerica, eating a rabbit. Rabbits were also a food source for the Mimbres during the Classic period, as populations of large herding game animals had been depleted by this time. According to Mayan legend, the Underworld is guarded by birds, jaguars and bats. Not surprisingly, birds, felines and bats appear frequently on Mimbres vessels. Mimbres bats are often depicted with crosses on their wings, resembling Mayan representations of killer bats with crossed bones on their wings (Brody 206). Amphibians and reptiles are featured on about 15% of figurative figurative Mimbres Classic Black-on-White vessels (Brody 179). Although reptiles are popular Pueblo totems, mythology often associates them with death and the Underworld. Lizards, frogs and turtles are usually depicted from above with emphasis on bilateralism (Brody 178).

Fish comprise about 8% of figurative depictions on Mimbres pottery. Comparisons of fish imagery indicate that many species represented are saltwater fish from the Gulf of California, over 500 kilometers away. A Mimbres fish motif from the Swartz ruin has been identified as a long nose butterfly fish, an inhabitant of California Gulf reefs (Jett 701). Other pots show men swimming among such fish and carrying burden baskets of fish. The Mimbres may have visited the California Gulf on a seasonal basis to supplement their food supply and collect shells for trade and jewelry-making (Jett & Moyle 688-89). Their most probable route would have taken them near Casas Grandes, a contemporary Mesoamerica trading center and cultural outpost.

Images of birds are plentiful, comprising about 22% of figurative imagery, including eagles, turkeys, quail, and cranes, as well as macaws and parrots. Images of macaws and parrots support the theory that the Mimbres were seasonal travelers. There are numerous images of these birds, often in transport or with human trainers. Mimbres inhabitants apparently participated in a bird trade and breeding system that spanned northern Mexico and the southwest (C&MK515-518). Macaws are not known to have been bred in the Southwest until the 1200s at Casas Grandes. The brightly colored feathers of scarlet macaws and parrots may have been used in the construction of masks. Large numbers of macaw skeletons have been recovered from Chaco Canyon sites, 350 km to the north. Interestingly, several buried macaws recovered from Cameron Creek and Galaz, some of which were part of human burials, lack a left wing. Possibly, the birds were sacrificed in ceremony. Severed heads and other singular body parts of macaws have also been found in burials.

Most Mimbres bowls were found in burials, placed over or near the head of the deceased. The Mimbres people buried their dead indoors, underneath the living quarters. Bowls were ritually punctured or broken prior to interment. This burial context lends religious significance to Mimbres pottery and it's imagery.

RELIGION & CEREMONY

Human depictions represent only about 7% of Classic Mimbres figurative images. Yet, these images provide the most comprehensive glimpses of Mimbres life and ritual. Solitary figures engage in a variety of activities, often everyday tasks. Other images show singular human figures in ceremonial or mythical scenes. There are several images of men holding wooden staffs similar to those found in nearby caves. Other examples show male dancers in ceremonial costume. Sipapu, the place of emergence from the underworld, is represented in images of men tunneling through spiral structures and by a man emerging from an underground cave with birds (left). Groups of multiple human figures, frequently with animals or anthropomorphic creatures, illustrate mythical concepts or ritual. Ceremonial dances and rituals, similar to later Pueblo rites are also represented. Numerous hunting and fishing scenes expand our knowledge of the Mimbres diet. Hunting scenes show masked figures hunting turkey, rabbits, antelope and other animals. The startling decapitation scene shown below may represent human sacrifice similar to contemporary Mesoamerican practices (Brody 206).

An overwhelming number of Classic Black-on-White motifs relate to historic Katchina religions. Katchina are anthropomorphic, spiritual creatures that live in the mountains, clouds, rivers and springs. According to historic Pueblo mythology, the Katchina used to visit the Pueblo people and dance in their fields to make rain. In Pueblo Katchina ceremonies men dress in elaborate costumes and masks to emulate Katchina dances, bringing rain and prosperity. The Mimbres most likely practiced an early form of this religion.

Cultural and religious ties to Meso-America and Katchina are demonstrated in numerous depictions of anthropomorphic creatures and fantastic animals on Mimbres pots. These beings, which display multiple traits of animals and humans, are most likely depictions of masked figures or deities. Images of horned or feathered serpents can be identified with Quetzalcoatl, the Mexican deity sometimes depicted as Ehecatl, the wind god. Other images recall Tlaloc, the Mexican rain god. Multiple examples of half man, half fish creatures have also been recovered. Other examples of anthropomorphized figures incorporate attributes of numerous animals and birds, including rabbits, fish, lizards, birds and felines. These creatures are sometimes shown in the act of ritual, interacting with human figures. The bowl at left shows mythic and human figures in a ceremonial scene involving what appear to be feathers and rattles. Images of masked figures may represent ceremonial costumes or the Katchina themselves.

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• Maxwell Museum - the University of New Mexico's anthropology museum

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