Photo Gallery

Pottery from the various prehistoric cultures. Anthropomorphic vessel (polychrome), 6.2 inches high, Casas Grandes Culture (Mexico), AFM.
AFM = Amerind Foundation Museum, Dragoon (Arizona)

Round copper disk, divided into eight sections, with geometric designs, perhaps stylized feathers. The disk may have been fastened to a piece of clothing. Diameter: 9.68 inches. Casas Grandes (Mexico), AFM. Copper items reached the Southwest through trade channels starting in the 10th century. They were exchanged for pottery and turquoise and are most commonly found in Hohokam and Anasazi sites.
AFM = Amerind Foundation Museum, Dragoon (Arizona)

Copper container shaped like a turtle and decorated with geometric figures. Length: 4 inches, height: 1.2 inches. Casas Grandes (Mexico), AFM.
AFM = Amerind Foundation Museum, Dragoon (Arizona)

From left (without arm clasp): Small copper bells which were used during religious ceremonies; diameters range from 1 to 1.28 inches. - Copper pendant, 2.16 inches high, weight .385 ounces. - Copper disk, perhaps a pendant, 1.78 inches diameter, .02 inches thick. - Copper axe with two holes and a haft set at 3/4 of its length. Length: 5.12 inches. Casas Grandes (Mexico), AFM.
AFM = Amerind Foundation Museum, Dragoon (Arizona)

Pottery from Casas Grandes (Mexico), Ramos polychrome, with well-executed, stylized geometric and naturalistic designs; several are anthropomorphic. The pots are painted with those design elements that were used over and over again in the Southwest, universal symbols like spirals, birds, stairways to heaven, etc. - Stylized rabbit figure. Diameter: 9.28 inches. AFM.
AFM = Amerind Foundation Museum, Dragoon (Arizona)

Pottery from Casas Grandes (Mexico), Ramos polychrome, with well-executed, stylized geometric and naturalistic designs; several are anthropomorphic. The pots are painted with those design elements that were used over and over again in the Southwest, universal symbols like spirals, birds, stairways to heaven, etc. - Square pot with four legs, painted with deer (?) and the stairway to heaven design. 3.28 inches long on a side, 0.12 inches thick. AFM
AFM = Amerind Foundation Museum, Dragoon (Arizona)

Pottery from Casas Grandes (Mexico), Ramos polychrome, with well-executed, stylized geometric and naturalistic designs; several are anthropomorphic. The pots are painted with those design elements that were used over and over again in the Southwest, universal symbols like spirals, birds, stairways to heaven, etc. - Spirals and birds, with a handle in the shape of a parrot's head. Height: 6.8 inches. AFM.
AFM = Amerind Foundation Museum, Dragoon (Arizona)

Pottery from Casas Grandes (Mexico), Ramos polychrome, with well-executed, stylized geometric and naturalistic designs; several are anthropomorphic. The pots are painted with those design elements that were used over and over again in the Southwest, universal symbols like spirals, birds, stairways to heaven, etc. - Human face surrounded by parrot heads with large crooked beaks. Diameter: 8.04 inches. AFM
AFM = Amerind Foundation Museum, Dragoon (Arizona)

Piece of pottery from Casas Grandes (Mexico). - Pottery with an anthropomorphic shape, a caricatured face with prominent chin and cheeks that end in ears. The mouth is indicated. The whole piece is somewhat humorous, a not uncommon characteristic of southwestern pottery. Height: 6.24 inches. AFM.
AFM = Amerind Foundation Museum, Dragoon (Arizona)

Piece of pottery from Casas Grandes (Mexico). - Anthropomorphic pot with extended legs, arms parallel to the body, shaped eyes and nose. Length: 9.32 inches. AFM
AFM = Amerind Foundation Museum, Dragoon (Arizona)

Piece of pottery from Casas Grandes (Mexico). - Red anthropomorphic pitcher with a flat head, almond-shaped eyes and shaped nose, chin and ears. Height: 7.6 inches. AFM
AFM = Amerind Foundation Museum, Dragoon (Arizona)

Piece of pottery from Casas Grandes (Mexico). - Double mug. A large number ofthese mugs were found at Mesa Verde. Diameter: 5 inches. AFM.
AFM = Amerind Foundation Museum, Dragoon (Arizona)

Pottery in the Ramos polychrome style: effigy of a seated woman nursing a child; decorated with black and red designs of universal symbolic significance: the "stairway to heaven" and clouds, the chessboard, the spiral (symbol of fertility) and the lightning sign, which heralds rain (on the left leg). Height: 8.04 inches. Casas Grandes (Mexico), ASM.
ASM = Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, Tucson (Arizona)

The spiral and swastika are universal signs. They are found in the megalithic architecture on Malta, on African pottery, in Carnac, in the heart of the Sahara, and in the petroglyphs and pottery of the Southwest. A shallow bowl in the shape of a turtle shell. Length: 6.16 inches. Casas Grandes (Mexico), AFM.
AFM = Amerind Foundation Museum, Dragoon (Arizona)