Follow MNA on
Facebook
Twitter

Ceramic Field Identification Manual Agua Fria National Monument Project

Chavez Pass Polychrome

BACKGROUND | CHRONOLOGY

PERIOD: Pueblo IV

DATES: A.D. 1260-1330 (Adams 1989; Hays-Gilpin et al. 1996).

Chavez Pass Polychrome - DESCRIPTION:

See Ware Description, except:

Core: Pinkish to tan, or gray.

Surface finish: Fairly well polished (horizontal polishing marks are often apparent); usually pitted and minutely crazed; tiny white flakes (sherd temper) usually noticeable on surfaces; both surfaces of bowls and jar exteriors are coated with a thin watery slip.

Surface color: Red, sometimes with an orange tint.

Paint: Brown to black, and white. Brown to black paint is probably an iron-manganese pigment. White paint, likely kaolin, is often powdery.

Design: Generally the same as Chavez Pass Black-on-red with the addition of a white line bordering black stripes. Jar exteriors and bowl interiors are painted. Sometimes bowl exteriors have black/brown or polychrome figures. White lines are occasionally present on bowl exteriors.

Geographic Range: Should occur regularly throughout Pueblo IV sites of the middle Little Colorado River drainage near Winslow, AZ, on Anderson Mesa, and in the area near Petrified National Forest. Also occurs on Perry Mesa and in the Verde Valley.

Comparison: Similar to Homol’ovi Polychrome but slipped.

Authored by: Saul Hedquist