Ancient Pottery of the Northern Southwest (Anasazi / Pueblo)

Exploring Ancient Pottery of the Northern Southwest

In this video, the focus is on exploring ancient pottery of the northern Southwest. The Colorado Plateau, a vast region in the northern southwestern United States, is characterized by unique sedimentary deposits that have influenced both the landscape and pottery of the area.

The Colorado Plateau and its Influence

• The Colorado Plateau is a large plateau that encompasses a vast region of the northern southwestern United States.

• It sits over what's known as the four corners area where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah meet.

• The plateau is characterized by sedimentary deposits such as sandstone and shale, which have shaped its unique landscape.

• Many famous landmarks like the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park are formed by these layers of sandstone.

Prehistoric Culture of the Colorado Plateau

• The prehistoric culture of the Colorado Plateau is primarily associated with what used to be called Anasazi and is now known as ancestral Puebloan.

• This culture is further divided into smaller subgroups such as Cayenta, Siola, Choco, etc., due to its large geographical spread.

• These cultures developed distinct pottery styles influenced by the sedimentary deposits found in their respective regions.

Q Ranch: Cultural Connection to Pottery

• Q Ranch lies just south of the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau and has an important historic connection to pottery made on the plateau.

• While plain wear was made at Q Ranch itself, most decorated pottery was imported from the Colorado Plateau.

• White Mountain Redwares and Salado Polychromes are two types commonly found at Q Ranch but originated from Sholo in northeastern Arizona.

Sholo: Artistic Renaissance

• Sholo in southern edge of the Colorado Plateau experienced an artistic renaissance in pottery production during the early 1300s.

• The coalescence of different cultures in the late 1200s led to the emergence of beautiful pottery types like glazed painted White Mountain Redwares and Solado Polychromes.

Zuni Region: Black-on-White Pottery

• The Zuni region, specifically the Sabola subregion in West Central New Mexico, is known for its black-on-white pottery.

• The presence of sandstone layers on the Colorado Plateau and cultural traditions contribute to the prevalence of black-on-white pottery in this area.

Conclusion

This section concludes the exploration of ancient pottery in the northern Southwest. The Colorado Plateau's unique geological features have influenced both the landscape and pottery styles found in various regions.

Pottery Technology in the Sabola Region

The pottery technology in the Sabola region evolved towards smothered reduction firings to produce the whitest whites and achieve contrast with black designs. The Sabola region is known for its black on white pottery, which was painted with red iron oxide. Black on white pottery production started around 500 AD and continued to evolve for over 700 years before it eventually stopped.

• Pottery technology in the Sabola region focused on smothered reduction firings.

• Smothered reduction firings produced the whitest whites and allowed for contrast with black designs.

• Black on white pottery in the Sabola region was painted with red iron oxide.

• Production of black on white pottery started around 500 AD and continued for over 700 years before it ceased.

Choco Canyon and its Pottery

Choco Canyon is known for its architecture, but there are no artifacts or pottery displayed at Choco Culture National Historic Park. Choco Pottery is often grouped together with Cibola Pottery due to similarities. The most famous pottery from Choco Canyon is the cylinder jars, which were used for drinking chocolate. Reproducing a cylinder jar provides an opportunity to try out reduction firing.

• Choco Canyon focuses on architecture rather than displaying artifacts or pottery.

• Choco Pottery is similar to Cibola Pottery and often grouped together by archaeologists.

• Cylinder jars are the most famous pottery from Choco Canyon, used for drinking chocolate.

• Reproducing a cylinder jar allows for experimentation with reduction firing.

Mesa Verde's Phenomenal Black-on-white Pottery

Mesa Verde is one of the most visited ruins in North America, known for its architecture. Mesa Verde's black-on-white pottery is considered some of the finest in the ancient Southwest. Unlike Choco and Cibola black-on-white pottery, Mesa Verde pottery used organic paint. Replicating a mug from Mesa Verde presents a challenge in smothering during firing.

• Mesa Verde is a highly visited ruin known for its architecture.

• Black-on-white pottery from Mesa Verde is considered exceptional.

• Mesa Verde pottery used organic paint, unlike Choco and Cibola black-on-white pottery.

• Replicating a mug from Mesa Verde involves smothering during firing.

Conclusion

The transcript concludes by mentioning that the counterclockwise motion around the Colorado Plateau will continue to explore other regions and their unique pottery styles.

• The counterclockwise exploration around the Colorado Plateau will continue to other regions with distinct pottery styles.

The Ancient Cayenta and Navajo National Monument

This section discusses the ancient Cayenta people who lived in north central Arizona. It mentions that Navajo National Monument has Cliff Dwellings similar to those at Mesa Verde, although they are less well-known. The emphasis is on the pottery rather than the architecture.

Ancient Cayenta and their Pottery

• The Cayenta people made organic painted black-on-white pottery, similar to their neighbors at Mesa Verde.

• Their polychrome pottery, particularly the Tusion polychrome bowl, was unique to the Cayenta area.

Cultural Change and Pottery Evolution

This section explains that around 1300, cultural changes occurred across the Colorado Plateau, leading to a shift in pottery-making techniques. Most of the pottery types discussed in this tour were made between 1250 and 1300 when they reached their peak evolution.

Pottery Evolution and Cultural Change

• Between 1250 and 1300, many pottery types reached their peak evolution.

• Cultural changes during this time led to people either changing their pottery-making techniques or completely abandoning the region.

• The seven types of pottery selected for this tour tend to be from the later periods when they reached their evolutionary apex.

Soy Black-on-White Pottery from Flagstaff Region

This section focuses on a specific type of pottery called Soy Black-on-White from the Flagstaff region. It mentions that this type was made until about 1200 before evolving into something else.

Soy Black-on-White Pottery

• Soy Black-on-White is a type of pottery made in the Flagstaff region until about 1200.

• While it may seem more primitive compared to other types, it is still a beautiful type of pottery.

• This pottery type falls under the category of Ton White Ware, which was made by the ancestral Hopi, Cayenta, and Tuson people in the western portion of the Colorado Plateau.

Ancient Pottery Challenge

This section discusses an annual challenge where the presenter replicates ancient pottery using traditional methods and invites others to participate. The challenge encourages participants to create their own replicas and share them on Instagram using a specific hashtag.

Ancient Pottery Challenge

• Last year, the presenter replicated seven pots from the southern Southwest using native clays and traditional forming and firing methods.

• This year, they plan to do the same by making replicas as close to the original as possible.

• While participation is not mandatory, viewers are invited to make their own replicas using any materials or methods they prefer.

• Participants can share their creations on Instagram with the hashtag #ancientPotteryChallenge.

• At the end of the season, all submissions will be shared.

Conclusion

The transcript covers various aspects of ancient pottery in different regions of the Colorado Plateau. It highlights unique pottery types such as Tusion polychrome and Soy Black-on-White. Additionally, it introduces an annual Ancient Pottery Challenge where participants can replicate ancient pottery and share their creations on Instagram.