Evidences of the existence of a prehistoric population in the Lower
Mimbres Valley, New Mexico, have been accumulating for many years,
but there is little definite knowledge of its culture and kinship.
It is taken for granted, by some writers, that the ancient people of
this valley lived in habitations resembling the well-known terraced
dwellings called pueblos, many of which are still inhabited along the
Rio Grande; but this theory presupposes that there was a close likeness
in the prehistoric architectural remains of northern and southern New
Mexico. It may be said that while there were many likenesses in their
culture, the prehistoric inhabitants of these two regions possessed
striking differences, notably in their architecture, their mortuary
customs, and the symbolic ornamentation of their pottery.
As the former inhabitants of the Mimbres Valley have left no known
descendants of pure blood, and as there is a scarcity of historical
records, we must rely on a study of archeological remains to extend our
knowledge of the subject. Much data of this kind has already been lost,
for while from time to time numerous instructive relics of this ancient
culture have been found, most of these objects have been treated as
“curios” and given away to be carried out of the country, and thus lost
to science. Some of these relics belong to a type that it is difficult
to duplicate. For instance, it is particularly to be regretted that the
numerous votive offerings to water gods, including fossil bones, found
when the “sacred spring” at Faywood near the Mimbres was cleaned out,
have not been studied and described by some competent archeologist.
The arrowheads, lance-points, and “cloud-blowers” from this spring
are particularly fine examples, the most important objects of the
collection being now in the cabinet of Mrs. A. R. Graham of Chicago.[1]
The valley of the Mimbres has never been regarded as favorable to
archeological studies, but has practically been overlooked, possibly
because of the more attractive fields in the regions to the north and
west, so that only very meager accounts have been published.[2]
The present article, which is a preliminary report on an archeological
excursion into this valley in May and June, 1914, is an effort to
add to existing knowledge of the archeology of the valley. During
this reconnaissance the author obtained by excavation and purchase a
collection of prehistoric objects which have added desirable exhibition
material to the collections in the U. S. National Museum.[3]