Archaeologists discovered pieces of this large pottery vessel with bird designs, over 700 years old, at the site of an ancient village near Red Wing, Minnesota. Researchers put the pieces together, sculpting the shape and filling in the design where pieces are missing.

Although it’s impossible to know the true meanings of the design, many people believe the bird depicts a Thunderbird. The wavy line enclosed by two horseshoe shapes may signify thunder, lightning, and the Thunderbird’s power. Alternatively, some suggest that this second design represents a serpent or other underworld creature. In this case, the Thunderbird of the World Above wraps around the vessel in cosmic balance with the serpent of the World Below.

The figure of the bird on this pot incorporates decorative elements that are usually displayed on their own. The tail and the wing designs are common motifs found on pottery from this time, but for a long time they weren’t understood as bird, or Thunderbird imagery. The unique design on this large pot effectively translates several of the abstract designs found on pottery from the area.
– Ed Fleming, Curator of Archaeology