Mimbres culture

Earthenware bowl with kill hole

circa 900-1150,

Earthenware bowl in the black-on-white vessel that was overfired, leading to the black pigment transforming into an earthy, iron-rich red. Crafted by a coiled method, and then intricately painted on the interior with gemetric motifs. So-called "kill holes" are believed to have been added by the Mimbres people when they would invert a bowl over the face of a deceased person and create a hole in the underside of the bowl. This example has been professionally restored. 

[Native Americans, Native American History, American Indian, Indian History]