First posted by C. Dean Wilson 2012

Sosi Black-on-white was defined by Colton and Hargrave (1937). This type refers to white wares white wares exhibiting solid designs common in the Tusayan region and elsewhere in the western Anasazi country during the late Pueblo II period in a black organic paint (Ambler 1985; Beals and others 1945; Hays-Gilipin and van Hartesveldt 1998). Sosi Black-on-white occurs in assemblages dating from about A.D. 1000 to 1130 and is most common at about A.D. 1080. Other Western Anasazi types exhibiting similar decorations in organic paint include Sosi Black-on-white for the Tusayan region, Hillsdale Black-on-gray for the Virgin Kayenta region, and Padre Black-on-white for the Little Colorado region.

Decorated surfaces are usually well-polished but not slipped. Surface color ranges from white, light gray, and bluish-white. Temper is a fine to large sand that was probably derived from crushed sandstone. Vessel forms include bowls, jars and occasional dippers. Designs mainly consist of wide lines organized into a series of rectilinear patterns. Other motifs included within these lines include solid triangles, right triangles, and interlocking barbs.

References:
Ambler, J. Richard
1985 Northern Kayenta Ceramic Chronology. In Archaeological Investigations near Rainbow City, Navajo Mountain, Utah. Edited by P. R. Geib J.R Ambler, and M. M. Callahan, pp 28-67. Northern Arizona Archaeological Report 576, Flagstaff.

Beals, Ralph, George Bainerd, and Watson Smith
1945 Archaeological Studies in Northwest Arizona. Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 44:1. University of California Press, Berkeley.

Colton, Harold S. and Lyndon L. Hargrave
1937 Handbook of Northern Arizona Pottery Wares. Museum of Northern Arizona Bulletin No. 11, Flagstaff.

Hays-Gilpin, Kelley., and Eric van Hartesveldt
1998 Prehistoric Ceramics of the Puerco Valley: The 1995 Chambers-Sanders Trust Lands Ceramic Conference. Museum of Northern Arizona Ceramic Series No.7. The Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff.

Related Photos

Sosi Black-on-white bowl

Sosi Black-on-white bowl

Sosi Black-on-white seed jar

Sosi style black-on-white bowl