Container Item Number: 3512/35 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 antelope designs around sides; incisions are filled in black. On front, large antelope is shown in profile with one foreleg raised. It has detail work on its face and stripes on its leg. On back, large black antelope is depicted in profile with both forelegs in motion. 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.