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.