Mimbres bowls, produced by people living in the Southwest from the late 10th to early 12th century a.d., are renowned for the unique imagery found on their interiors. The blackon-white ceramics were often decorated with geometric patterns (right). Others featured portraits of everyday scenes, local wildlife, and even mythical creatures. These, all found at a site called Swarts Ranch, depict (clockwise from below) a hunter returning home with a deer, an unknown figure sometimes interpreted as a tadpole or frog, a woman giving birth, and a rabbit shown with a sword-like stick. 36 ArchAeology • May/June 2013