This is a scarcely seen authentic prehistoric pottery vessel from the Initial Middle Missouri Native American Indian peoples dating to A.D. 900-1300. The piece comes with a June 1984 signed letter from Ann M. Johnson, Ph.D. Archeologist for the United States Department of Interior National Park Service. The letter is addressed to a Mrs. Robert A. Runge of Hardin, Montana and states that after examining this piece Johnson found the piece to be a prehistoric A.D. 900-1300 example of the Initial Middle Missouri culture of the Missouri River related to the Mandan and Hidatsa tribes. She goes on to say that Mrs. Runge husband’s family found the vessel near Edgement, South Dakota with other Initial Middle Missouri pieces being documented to be recovered there as well. She calls this an Anderson High Rim type. This piece shows a rounded base with wide rolling body and slightly flaring outward straight tall rim all having a linear rolled pattern. The piece is complete with a slight crack and broken lip piece still present. Also with he vessel is a purple ribbon with gilt gold lettering repeatedly stating “Little Big Horn Bean Co.” likely an award given to the piece over time. Provenance: From a historic Eastern Montana American Indian Collection, where the piece was found to be an authentic original, one of the finest collections of American Indian weaponry and antiquities in Montana. Measures overall 9.5”T 10”W. This is an ancient piece of pottery with many small flaws, but in solid condition. Shipping will be handled by our company, but at the buyers risk.