The period names in classifying pottery have very little to do with the pottery itself. Instead the names refer to cultural changes based on migration and developments in agricultural techniques and architecture.

• Basketmaker II          50 B.C.-A.D. 450
• Baskemaker III           A.D. 450-700
• Pueblo I                      700-900
• Pueblo II                     900-1100
• Pueblo III                    1100-1300
• Pueblo IV                    1300-1600
• Historic                       1600-1880
• Modern                       1880-1950
• Contemporary            1950-Present

The museum has vessels from Pueblo III, Pueblo IV, Historic, and Modern eras. Our oldest artifact on exhibit is the Western Mesa Verde bowl, the estimated date is c. 1250 to 1350.

After 1600 pottery became less important to the native economy so smaller quantities were made. Pottery from the Historic period are the rarest of all. The museum has five vessels during this date range of 1600-1880. Stop in for a visit and see if you can find these five pots that are on display in the Mezzanine Level.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hayes, Allan and John Blom. Southwestern Pottery Anasazi to Zuni. Northland Publishing. 1996.