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 N o t e s o n M i d d l e A m e r i c a n A r c h a e o l o g y a n d E t h n o l o g y Carnegie Institution of Washington Division of Historical Research No. 2 December 1, 1940 Pottery from Champerico, Guatemala A. V. Kidder Classification of the Complete Bowls Simple silhouette 5 Thickened rim (Fig. 2.1a–c, e) Unthickened rim (Fig. 2.1h) 4 1 Double curve 4 Cascabel tripods (Fig. 2.2a, b Without feet (Fig. 2.2g, i) 2 2 Flat base (Fig. 2.2h, k, m 3 Total 12 Other Forms Represented by Sherds Bowls Simple silhouette, grooved exterior (Fig. 2.1j, k). Simple silhouette, thickened flaring rim (Fig. 2.1n). Simple silhouette, rim flange (Fig. 2.1o) Double curve, thickened rim (Fig. 2.1p, q, t, u, v) Straight rim, incised decoration (Fig. 2.1m) Constricted orifice, standing rim (Fig. 2.2j) Vase (?) with basal flange (Fig. 2.1s) Flowerpot (Fig. 2.1r) Jars (Fig. 2.2c–f) Comal (Fig. 2.21) COMPlete BOwlS Simple silhouette bowls, thickened rim (Fig. 2.1a–g, including 3 sherds d, f, g). Apparently the most characteristic form. Diams., 18.5–34 cm; thickness sidewall , 0.6–0.8 cm; thickness base, 0.4–0.5 cm; thickDuring the winter of 1940 Dr. Erwin P. Dieseldorff visited the Salinas de Istan, some 5 km southwest of Champerico on the Pacific coast of Guatemala, in the Department of Retalhuleu. At about ground level in the center of a low mound then being leveled by its owner, Dr. Dieseldorff found a nest of 12 bowls which, although no bones were observed, had probably accompanied a burial. Through the kindness of Dr. Dieseldorff it has been possible to examine these specimens and about 50 sherds from the fill of the mound. The vessels, it is understood, are to be presented to the National Museum of Guatemala; the sherds, with permission of the Guatemala Government, have been deposited in the Peabody Museum of Harvard University. In composition the material is remarkably uniform . The paste is red brown, often with a dark central streak. Surfaces of most bowls, and the necks and apparently the upper bodies of jars, bear a thick buff slip supplemented in many, perhaps all, cases by a thin red over-slip. Both vessels and sherds are so severely eroded, seemingly by earth acids, that only traces of the red slip usually remain. Three sherds examined by Miss A. O. Shepard with the binocular microscope were tuff-tempered. Certain pieces show faint traces of wavy parallel lines, apparently is the “Usulutan” technique. On some of these a dark gummy substance adheres to the lines, producing an appearance of painted decoration. Close scrutiny , however, shows this to be a fortuitous secondary incrustation. A. V. Kidder  2.1. Pottery from Champerico, Guatemala. ness rim, 1.0–1.2 cm. Lip rounded, rim thickened on exterior, base recurved. Modifications: rim pushed inward, before drying of vessel, at two opposite points (Fig. 2.1b, c, f; each of these has four small, round bosses on lower part of exterior); one bowl (Fig. 2.1b) has curved lug in pushed-in area; one (Fig. 2.1a) has three solid nubbin feet. Decoration, on rim exterior, consists of incised hachured triangles or rectangles in a band framed by single lines. All specimens bore red slip, seemingly both interior and exterior, but this has so nearly disappeared that its distribution is uncertain. In some specimens the lip and the incised zone were certainly covered with a second application of darker red; and in one (Fig. 2.1a) the incised zone perhaps bore no slip. On the interior of two bowls are faint traces of wavy parallel lines possibly in “Usulutan” technique. Simplesilhouettebowl,unthickenedrim(Fig.2.1h). Resembles above in possessing pushed-in rim; single boss opposite push-in, but lacks rim thickening and incised band. Red slip interior and exterior. Double curve, cascabel tripod bowls (Fig. 2.2a, b). The two specimens much alike. Diams., 18.5, 25 cm; thickness side wall, 0.4, 0.6 cm. Rim slightly thickened toward rounded lip. Feet with 3 (Fig. 2.2a) and 4 (Fig. 2.2b) round holes, 0.5–0.6 cm in diameter , made with a hollow tool (reed or bird bone?), which has cut out and pushed in plug-like pieces of the wall; these serve as...

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