Container Item Number: 3512/31 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Ostrich egg water holder with a hole drilled into the top; leather strap inserted into hole, for carrying purposes. Incised geometric and animal motifs throughout; incisions are filled in black. Antelope designs are on front and back, directly underneath the drilled hole. Animal on front has its knees bent and tongue out; animal on back is standing straight. Long lines of connected diamonds run down sides, dividing the front and back of the container. Base is undecorated.
Khoisan would drill a small hole into ostrich eggs and eat the raw egg. They would then fill the containers with water, using a plant stem, and bury them for future use while hunting or moving to seasonal camps. Added leather straps would allow them to be carried on belts or in hunting kits. Markings were used to show ownership.