Sunday, January 25, 2004

Astronomical Decoration on Ceramics, North American Indians, part II. The black and white pottery of the Mimbres culture is famous for its design. Among many motifs, some of the animal imagery referred to astronomical event. A supernova exploded in 1054 A.D in the constellation of Taurus, leaving the Crab Nebula.  It may have been as bright as the moon and visible for 23 days.  There is pottery of that time reflecting that occurance - the rabbit (representing the moon) holding an object with rays (the supernova.) Lunar Eclipses were represented by a crane eating a rabbit. (L Escoffre, H Frommert & C Kronberg) 9:35:06 PM