Ancient Pottery Journey Across the Southern Southwest

To kick off season 4 of Ancient Pottery I took a road trip across the southern Southwest. Along the way I stopped in seven places to talk about the ancient people who used to live there and the pottery they made. During the course of this season I will recreate these 7 pots and you can make them too, then upload the pic to Instagram with the hashtag #ancientpotterychallenge to share with us all. At the end of the season I will share everyone's pots here. Welcome to season 4, now get started on those pots!
Hohokam pottery production - www.academia.edu/19255500/Hoh...
Schoolhouse Point Platform Mound - www.penn.museum/documents/pub...
Pinaleno Mountain Cotton Cache - www.eacourier.com/news/cotton...
Kayenta immigrants - statemuseum.arizona.edu/onlin...
Serpentine source on the Upper Gila River - www.gcasnm.org/news/rogers-20...
Mimbres pottery questions - • Southwest Black-on-Whi...
El Paso Polychrome - www.academia.edu/34268253/Fro...
🏺 Wednesday Zoom pottery class - ancientpottery.how/ancient-po...
❤️ Channel membership - / ancientpottery
🛍 Shop my website: ancientpottery.how/shop/
📚 Workshops and masterclasses - ancientpottery.how/classes/
⭐️ Social media
Facebook - / andywardpottery
Instagram - / ancientpottery
0:00 The southern Southwest has diversity!
1:47 The Hohokam
4:18 The Salado
6:51 The Desert Mogollon
9:38 The Kayenta
13:36 Casas Grandes
16:04 The Mimbres
18:23 The Jornada
20:18 The rules of the new "Ancient Pottery Challenge"
📬 Send me mail
Andy Ward PO Box 43601 Tucson, AZ 85733
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[@archeojoel]

Dear Andy: I'm a CRM archaeologist and RPA since 2000 with an MA from Boulder. My thesis involved the Curtis Ranch/Buena Vista Site, which as you know has a large Salado component. I just wanted to say that your videos are like Saturday morning's line-up from my youth...your lessons reinforce my own education and tie things together so well. It's great for my practice and also like attending a graduate lecture for fun! So, thank you!

[@AncientPottery]

So glad you are enjoying my content. I think I know who you are. Around 2017 I asked Stephen Lekson if I could come up there and photograph some of the pottery they have from the Curtis Site. He told me that some graduate student was working on that material and had photographed it all, so he mailed me a CD with all those photos. Could that have been you?

[@archeojoel]

@@AncientPottery Most likely!

[@ooee8088]

Thinking about the history is a big part of the therapeutic value when making this type of pottery.

[@AncientPottery]

For me too. Making the pottery forms a tangible connection to the past and those ancient potters.

[@carlosmacmartin4205]

Always a pleasure to see my childhood haunts, from Phoenix all the way to Las Cruces. 🙂

[@angeladazlich7145]

Road trip + education = pottery. Love it!

[@AncientPottery]

Glad you liked it.

[@stephenwalford774]

Great bit of history you put together..will be following this series..

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you

[@markgibsons_SWpottery]

I do believe I have time to make one or two of these this season! Great video! Those cotton jars are great! Wonderful stuff there! I love when they have stuff in them like cotton or other stuff! Thanks for the great video!

[@AncientPottery]

You should look up the report on that cotton cache it is an interesting read. They had multiple different radiocarbon dates indicating that cotton was added over the course of a long time. Also they found grain amaranth seeds, beans and human hairs in amongst the cotton, really fascinating.

[@maryruthmonahan5180]

What a wonderful way to start my day!

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, I hope you enjoy it

[@dorotheadiallo5790]

Hi Andy, this season is a dream coming true for me. Thank you for traveling to all these places and sharing your knowlege. I am looking forward to every stop you will be taking us! Greetings from Germany

[@AncientPottery]

My pleasure!

[@airstreamwanderings3683]

You've knocked it out of the park this time. Great challenge, pots, and put in the context of history. I may have to cave in and get an Instagram account.

[@AncientPottery]

Instagram is way easier and less drama than Facebook. Thanks!

[@tonyaward3526]

You can do it! Congratulations on 500

[@markgibsons_SWpottery]

Congrats on the 70,000 subs. We are in there with you for the long haul!

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks. heading towards that silver play button.

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

That was neat! I learned a lot. I spent most of my career above the Rim, so this is new territory for me. Thanks, Andy.

[@AncientPottery]

Glad I could provide something you didn't already know. Maybe next year I will do the northern Southwest

[@jeanettewaverly2590]

@@AncientPottery That would be fun. The plethora of Black-on-white types never ceases to amaze (and confuse) me.

[@stybbamo]

This is very exciting. Can’t wait to get started.

[@AncientPottery]

I know you will do great

[@OneKindWord]

This was a very interesting and instructive video. I will have to watch it a few more times.

[@AncientPottery]

Awesome, thank you!

[@sandraharper1184]

I agree Maryruth. I always enjoy to listen and learn from Andy

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you glad you are enjoying it

[@Mike-kr9ys]

Thanks for taking us along on this journey back in time.

[@AncientPottery]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@justsomeguywithaboomerang1891]

I'm learning so much from you about pottery!

[@AncientPottery]

Glad to help.

[@yeshuas5172]

Great video Andy. One of my faves in this type you make; telling us about areas, the people, materials etc. I have some serpentine beads like the ones you show, same shape, color and veining, inherited from my Mom's vintage collection. I had no idea. Now I'm planning a special piece to make with them.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. It's always a risk making a video that's different from my usual. Not always well received by everyone but loved by some.

[@Dovid2000]

Excellent documentary with riveting landscape-photography! Thanks, Andy, for sharing with us the history of these extraordinary places. The pottery samples (whether fragmentary or whole) are man's connection with their past.

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you David, definitely true no matter what part of the world you live in. And recreating those pots can make you feel connected to the past too.

[@AncientAmericas]

Can't wait to see those pots recreated!

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, I will get started on these soon.

[@howardlowry6412]

Sir, I just "discovered" your channel. In a word- OUTSTANDING!

[@aprilwoosley1342]

At first I was thinking oh I don't know enough or I'm not good enough to try these challenges but by the end of your video (as the sun was going down) I felt like I could give it a go. Thanks for taking us on this really interesting journey.

[@AncientPottery]

You're welcome. You can definitely do it, it is a good exercise and won't require expert level skills, just pick one of the easy ones.

[@awyeagames]

I love these videos in which you travel around and show some of the countryside!

[@AncientPottery]

Glad to hear it

[@montaramike]

Another great video! Love the history lessons.

[@AncientPottery]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@LucaHulot]

you're doing good work out there, seeing someone's passion is always a pleasure, so thanks a lot for sharing with all of us ^^ Greetings from Belgium

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks I am happy this is enjoyable to people around the world.

[@slowwound2656]

I can't wait to try my hand at making these along with you, and learning more about the history of each one. I've spent the last couple days making some pukiis, I'm really excited about this series.

[@AncientPottery]

Wonderful! I am looking forward to seeing what you make

[@slowwound2656]

@@AncientPottery I will make sure to share them on Instagram.

[@willorocks]

This is the video I've been waiting for! Awesome places and great history, really cool challenges, looking forward to seeing the end results on these. Great video too!

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks Will, glad you enjoyed it.

[@johnburke8337]

Really looking forward to the Mimbres Sheep cause he’s cute, same with the owl effigy. You’re gonna mail that reduction firing!!

[@AncientPottery]

I'm very close on the reduction firing. Thanks

[@zippytippie453]

Absolutely love this season’s challenge. As always you provide a wealth of interesting information and insight into Ancient Pottery.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, I hope you will participate

[@goodpeople5676]

Awesome video with lots of lovely information. I wish I could take part . I love pottery, but I can't make them . I must try to make something atleast . With love from SAM Guwahati, Assam, India 🇮🇳 ♥

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks so much 😊

[@julyjuniper573]

These are gonna be so fun to watch you make! Thank you so much for including links to the various research papers, hopefully I’ll have time to source ingredients for some of the colors/slips so I can give this challenge a try! I really appreciate all the love and effort you put into your videos, educational materials, and, of course, your pottery!

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you so much.

[@markkaidy8741]

Really awesome video!!! Fascinating...Im not even a potter but can appreciate the art...Thank you for sharing!!!

[@AncientPottery]

You're welcome

[@penelope8980]

This is a fabulous idea for creating videos about. Beautiful scenery, history and pots I've never seen before. Thank you!

[@AncientPottery]

You're welcome.

[@Joe-mp1yj]

in spanish salado is salty. Sal is salt. Great vid!

[@cgoulart7023]

Enjoyed the video, Andy.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks 👍

[@katrinaperry1807]

This was cool. We moved to Sierra Vista a couple years ago, so it's really awesome to learn about the histories of each area (and recognize a few too)!!

[@AncientPottery]

I grew up in Sierra Vista. Thanks for watching

[@Raviolikid]

Andy, I just love your videos! I wish I could take one of your courses. I live in Michigan, and while we have clay here, any artifacts I’ve ever seen in museums make me think I won’t be able to come up with anything beautiful. Your content is marvelous and I admire your production value.

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you

[@PSC9634]

For those interested, the Western Spirit, Scottsdale Museum of the West, has a great display on Southwest pottery. Many pieces of Nampeyo pottery are featured.

[@AncientPottery]

I have never been to that museum, thanks for the tip.

[@kscvb]

I just went to the Smithsonian Museum of Native American History and it was disgraceful in it's sheer lack of real information about Native cultures and the real history of genocide of millions. I learn far more from your videos about the beautiful art and cultures of these peoples than in many years of what passes for public education in this country. Thank you for drawing attention to them.

[@janilsonpinheiro1778]

Watching from my city Governador Lindenberg - Brazil. Nice 👍🇧🇷

[@braxtonizbicki7739]

Thank you it is my first time making clay. I collected the clay in Florence and I looked for the crackled texture in a dryer pond and it work's great Thank you so much 😄

[@AncientPottery]

Florence, AZ? There is a lot of good clay near the Gila River in that area.

[@justsomeguywithaboomerang1891]

This is awesome.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks

[@CarrieMtn]

What a fun road trip. It is nice to hear your excitement for the project. I probably won’t participate (moving etc) but, I will be watching.

[@AncientPottery]

That's fine, it is certainly not for everyone. Thanks

[@jergarmar]

Wow, you really outdid yourself on this video, amazing overview of SW pottery! You've really done quite a bit to spread the knowledge and understanding of these different styles. I have my first (small) batch of iron oxide pigment drying, so I'm hoping to try my hand at recreating something... but ever more than that, I'm hoping that my kids (8,9,10) get a bit inspired to make something themselves.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks. This is great activity to get kids involved in if they like that kind of thing.

[@kellipcoats]

Loved this pottery journey - inspiring, to say the least!

[@AncientPottery]

Thank you so much!

[@kellipcoats]

@@AncientPottery You are very welcome! So happy to have discovered your KZbin channel. It has inspired me to create a new line of ceramic ware inspired by my own lineage - here’s to honoring ancestry of all kinds!

[@lizardland]

So looking forward to this and understanding the different cultures a bit better. I'll definitely be giving a few a try. I'm still trying to figure out firing with a better success rate so this will give me a bit of motivation over winter.

[@AncientPottery]

I am already working on the first pot.

[@sheryl3268]

Awesome! Love your choices, and the info in story style on location was a big bonus. I plan to do this challenge, not sure if will do in same timeframe, but I will try. I am hoping to use materials local to me, but may try to collect more authenticly located ones instead if I can. I have wanted to go to your in person workshops for a while now. Will you be coordinating this challenge with a material collection workshop?

[@AncientPottery]

If you are interested in finding authentic materials just hit me up and I can maybe make some suggestions. In my case the materials will be similar but not exact. For example I won't be driving out to the Rio Grande to collect the clay for El Paso Poly, just use my clay from closer to home which I'm sure is pretty similar anyway.

[@robmarshallofficial]

Thank you for taking time to make this video, it’s very informative. I would love to know the books you looked at for the information to and photos of the pottery. Best regards, Rob

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks, I have read so many books on this subject. There is a list of a few online sources in the dooblidoo below.

[@glynnphillips9703]

Your AWESOME

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks

[@mihailvormittag6211]

👍

[@EXARCWithGrandpop]

I am excited to try some of these. Could you post the sizes when the time comes?

[@AncientPottery]

I should have added the sizes, thanks for the reminder. 1. Hohokam jar is about 6" x 6" (just an estimate) 2. Salado owl is about 8" x 10" (estimate) 3. Mogollon bowl 35 cm x 12 cm 4. Kayenta jar 25 cm x 18 cm 5. CG double-jar is about 16" x 7" (estimate) 6. Mimbres ram 13" x 10" 7. Jornada jar is about 13" x 14"

[@sheilam4964]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@youngwillie9502]

Hello there Andy. I'm going to give some of these challenges a try with my available materials. Especially the Jornada which is the closest to my location. Can you give a link to where I can see images of these pots from all sides? Very keen to make the attempt. Thanks and have a good one.

[@AncientPottery]

That's a pretty tall order. Most of these pots are not on display in museums, the photos I shared are the only ones I have. The Hohokam pot and the Corrolitos double jar are on display at the Arizona State Museum. the others are all locked away somewhere. We will have to make do with the photos we have. I have uploaded copies of the photos I have to Facebook and Instagram

[@youngwillie9502]

@@AncientPottery I have noticed a scarcity of photos online where ancient pottery is concerned. Thanks all the same. I'll make it work.

[@edward3950]

Take. Me. With. You. 😭

[@baidarkaguy]

Awesome! I'd love to get in on this. Just did my very first surface firing. Made cover sherds as test pieces before trying to fire some bowls that are painted and waiting. The sherds got to cherry red glow. None broke in firing. Went from brown clay to red after firing. I broke a corner off to see inside. The red goes 1/16 inch deep. Then the center 1/8 inch is jet black. What did I do wrong? I'm thinking maybe the temp rose to quickly? Maybe was too hot? I want to do this challenge. But would be good to bypass the beginner mistakes a little bit to improve odds of success. Thanks

[@seanfaherty]

I’m no expert but I had a similar thing happen . The next time I used more wood, added some more mid firing. Got it cooked all the way through

[@AncientPottery]

Nothing wrong with that at all. Many of the ancient sherds have that carbon inside, it just indicates that it was fired in a brief firing, no big deal. Sounds like you are making good progress.

[@SF-gy3oj]

You've made this challenge a little easier on us this time by giving us artistic license, especially with materials. Are you going to do the same for yourself? Or are you gonna try to find their clays, slips, etc.?

[@AncientPottery]

I am going to try to make them as authentically as I can. Thanks

[@SF-gy3oj]

@@AncientPottery Fantastic!

[@AncientPottery]

I am not going to that level of perfection, to collect all the materials near the correct places. But I will try to use the same kinds of materials.

[@airstreamwanderings3683]

Do you have a web page for this challenge with pictures, dimensions, etc.? Thanks

[@AncientPottery]

The information is on my Facebook page, posted on November 17 also on Instagram from the same day. facebook.com/andywardpottery

[@6bonjour]

@@AncientPottery thank you

[@ladyjess3957]

help!! ive got a large southwest bowl and its a number 35 handpainted on bottom...would you or anyone give me more info about what the number means or how i can get more information on it please. thank you so much.

[@jackherbic6048]

Hello, I have been trying to attempt pottery at home for a long time, but all of my projects have been complete failures. Do you have any advice for aspiring midwestern potters. The clay I've used ranges from yellowish gray to a vert slightly red brown. For temper I've tried using crushed stones. A person I know who did a lot of pottery with bought clays said she thought my clay was not plastic enough. Do you think the clay that I'm using is the problem or would it be more likely that its either the temper or the refinement or the firing that is the problem? I don't have a way to crush the clay so I've only been able to wet refine the clay.

[@AncientPottery]

It's hard to trouble-shoot through KZbin comments. But what is the problem you are having? If you were to join my Wednesday night Zoom class I could look at your clay and give you some better advice.

[@jackherbic6048]

@@AncientPottery Sorry my question was kind of confused. I guess what I was meaning to ask is, if you have a clay that can be molded well does that alone mean it can be used for pottery or are some clays just not suitable.

[@shrugg6593]

A question if I may, but first, I found your channel about a week or ten days ago when i was off work for a week with a flu. I've since viewed about 70% of your content. You may criticize your videography skills, but trust me you are doing just fine. Now the question, When you hunt and collect wild clay are you ever concerned about the composition of the clay you sneak up on? For example, since there are naturally occurring toxins such as lead, uranium, arsenic and other toxic elements and compounds that may not be the best for food preparation, or drinking purposes, do you ever or have you considered having samples tested? In one video while collecting minerals near a former mine, you mentioned arsenic, has anyone ever tested ancient historical sherds for similar toxins? Or does the firing process reduce or eliminate most toxins? Are the quantities in clay usually just trace levels that don't require any serious concern? Thank you Mr Ward for the quality entertainment and outstanding information, you make me want to make mud pies again... Sorry for asking the same question again, but I haven't been able to find anything online except for discussions on lead and uranium based glazes... forgive me...

[@AncientPottery]

Clay and heavy metals are on the opposite end of the weight spectrum, clay being among the lightest sediment and heavy metals being, well, heavy. That being the case they settle out in very different areas. So it is very rare for clay to have any moire the the faintest trace of leads or any other heavy metals.

[@shrugg6593]

@@AncientPottery that makes sense, I read something about a study of modern clay foodware in Africa. I believe they stated it was a fairly low risk. But there are surface uranium deposits in the South West. I searched and couldn't find any studies about ancient or current clay deposits. I truly appreciate your answers. I love your videos and have been looking at areas in the Phoenix area where my old knees will allow me to stalk the wild clay without needing to be rescued by AAA or airlifted out of an arroyo. I'm hoping to be able to share a couple of projects in the next challenge. Thanks again sir, by the way, you bare a striking resemblance to one of my favorite cousins from the Show Low area. Keep up the great work, the skills you teach are more than just functional or artistic. They are historical, and universally human...

[@-meganeura]

Salado is salty not salt so... very salty culture ? :) jokes aside I really enjoy this documentary, very professional, as your other videos.

[@AncientPottery]

Thanks! 😃

[@paestrada15]

Andy I’m in El Paso Tx!

[@paestrada15]

Are you close by? I’d like to treat you to lunch! I watching you newest video and gathered clay in my area, I’d like to have a conversation with you…

[@AncientPottery]

I was in Las Cruces last week when I was filming this video but I live in Tucson.

[@paestrada15]

@@AncientPottery awesome, I have bee collecting clay here in El Paso, there’s some sites where I’ve found shards. Your an inspiration and I’m really working on my pottery, haven’t fired my first pots yet… watching your videos are we speak 💪😀

[@AncientPottery]

@@paestrada15 I’ll bet there’s some good clay there in the Rio Grande valley.

[@theresebennett2933]

That probably means that it was much easier to survive in the southern southwest.