Mesa Verde

This necklace is made from turkey bone beads and canyon walnuts, which were rare in the Mesa Verde region. Osborne (2004: 180-181) notes that 4 of the 5 nuts had required re-drilling of holes with which to string them. This along with the smoothness of the walnuts suggests that the necklace was used alot.

History Colorado

Necklace, Turkey bone beads and Canyon walnuts

This Mesa Verde Black on white ceramic storage jar or olla was most likely made to store water. It is has a neck that is slightly flaring and painted with black rim ticks. Around the neck are designs believed to be representative of turkey tracks. The jar appears to have been mended at its time of use, as there are holes drilled and a yucca strand holding the object together.

Storage Jar, Mesa Verde

A coiled yucca basket with turkey quill decoration around the rim.  A turkey bone awl tip is embedded in the bottom section with prehistoric repair in base of basket.

Basket, Coiled Yucca

This bone scraper is made from a turkey bone.  The chevron pattern is likely a motif for a turkey footprint.

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

Mesa Verde

Object

Necklace, Turkey bone beads and Canyon walnuts

Object

Storage Jar, Mesa Verde

Object

Basket, Coiled Yucca

Object

Bone scraper, Turkey bone

Object

Awl, Turkey bone