A Celebration and
Tribute to the early American Southwest Indian Potters
There were three Prehistoric cultures in what
is now Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado. They were the
Mogollon (300 B.C. - 1400 A.D.), the Hohokam (300 B.C. - 1450
A.D.) and the Anasazi (250 A.D. - 700 A.D.). Anthropologists
believe that the Prehistoric pottery was used primarily for
ceremonial purposes and then buried. Because the creation
of this pottery spanned many years and it was buried, it is
much more abundant than it's descendents - the Historic pueblo
pottery. Some people feel that the Prehistoric pottery is
cruder or less refined than the Historic pottery although
some of the Anasazi black on white pottery is extremely intricate
and complicated. The Anasazi (the Navajo word meaning "the
old ones") were responsible for creating the magnificent
Tularosa and Mimbres pottery which both feature bold black
on white fine linear designs. During this time, similar cultures
around the world lacked the sophistication and expertise of
the Anasazi people. My favorite Prehistoric pottery are the
bowls that were created by the Mimbres. These ceremonial bowls
feature precise geometric designs as well as pictures of people
and animals. These bowls are not only fascinating for their
excellent craftmanship and unique design, they also serve
as windows into the lives of these ancient peoples.
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