Pottery making has been a significant development in the lives of all ancient societies, Native American people of the American Southwest being no exception. As small bands of individuals grew into communities, survival needs changed, and pottery enabled these people to flourish.
Prior to the development of pottery making, the basic tool kits of the nomadic people consisted of knapped arrowheads and basketry, both used for hunting and food gathering. Early baskets were pitch lined for water carrying and cooking. The migration of small bands determined what items could be carried. If the item wasn't easily transported, there was no place for it in their lifestyle.
There are various theories of how pottery actually came about. One being that pottery was brought from Mexico on the ancient routes that existed at that time. Not only artifacts were traded, but also ideas were traded, and the origins of pottery making in the Southwest might have developed along these routes. In addition, it is theorized that pottery making began in nomadic communities. It is believed that baskets were lined with mud in order to hold liquids. These mud lined baskets were set near campfires which would have baked the clay into hardened containers. This process evolved into the making of clay vessels.
Pottery making also developed as a result in the lifestyle changes of the nomadic southwest people. The ancient bands learned to cultivate plants as a food source, and this development of agriculture tied the people to land parcels, thereby stabilizing their societies geographically and allowing them to change their nomadic ways. As small communities grew, there arose needs for water jars and food storage containers, and pottery filled these requirements.
The initial pueblo pottery that was created consisted of plain fired clay with various forms being determined by the everyday needs of the people. Forms were mainly jars and canteens to hold water, large storage containers to hold surplus foodstuffs, and small figural objects for ceremonial rituals. As time progressed, painted surfaces found their way into the pottery making process which spread throughout the Four Corners region. The distinctive black on white pottery can be found in all Anasazi cultures. Later, multi-colored or polychrome pottery evolved into the forms and colors used by the Native Americans of contemporary times.
