EMAP (1991) Classic Mimbres Iconography: An Investigation of Style, Symbol, and Meaning

Part of the EMAP - Reports project

Author(s): Diane Stoffel

Year: 1991

Summary

The subject of this analysis of stylistic variation is the

pottery known as Classic Mimbres Black on White, specifically

the naturalistic bowls, which display images of animals

and/or humans. In an effort to locate and identify some

meaningful signifiers within the iconographic repertoire of

the Mimbres culture, the approach of pattern recognition is

utilized. A number of design elements were chosen upon

completion of a preliminary study which showed promise of

demonstrating some interrelation. The purpose of this

analysis is to determine whether Mimbres design elements also

exhibit evidence of formal variation as if part of a symbolic

communications system. It is widely accepted that

extrapolating symbol and meaning from artifact is at best

difficult (Chippendale; 1986 ). However, if these elements are

organized within a system created by the artisan's culture,

once patterns are recognized, the task of discovering meaning

can be approached with more confidence.

Cite this Record

EMAP (1991) Classic Mimbres Iconography: An Investigation of Style, Symbol, and Meaning. Diane Stoffel. 1991 ( tDAR id: 399233) ; doi:10.6067/XCV84Q7WBX

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Keywords

Culture
Mimbres • Mogollon

Material
Ceramic • Chipped Stone • Dating Sample • Fauna • Ground Stone • Macrobotanical • Mineral • Shell • Wood

Site Type
Domestic Structure or Architectural Complex

Investigation Types
Data Recovery / Excavation • Research Design / Data Recovery Plan • Systematic Survey

Geographic Keywords
Animas Drainage • Eastern Mimbres • Palomas Drainage • Rio Grande Drainage • Seco Drainage • Southwest New Mexico

Temporal Keywords
Black Mountain Phase • Classic Mimbres Period • Early Mogollon Pithouse Period • Late Mogollon Pithouse Period • Mimbres Reorganization Phase

Spatial Coverage

min long: -107.428; min lat: 32.927 ; max long: -107.356; max lat: 32.982 ;

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Arizona State University (ASU)

Principal Investigator(s): Michelle Hegmon; Margaret Nelson

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