First posted by C. Dean Wilson 2012

Chupadero Black-on-white vessels was first named and described by Mera (1931). Chupadero Black-on-white is described from sites scattered over a wide area of the Jornada Mogollon (Kelley 1984; Farwell and others 1992; Mera 1931; Hayes and others 1981; Vivian 1964; Wiseman 1982; 1986). Chupadero Black-on-white was first manufactured sometime between A.D. 1050/ 1100 and continued to have been produced to about 1500 after which appear to have transitioned into Tabira Black-on-white (Wiseman 2014). Chupadero Black-on-white is similar to Socorro Black-on-white, and both types appear at about the same time reflecting a merging of a number of artistic traditions which may include Reserve, Tularosa, Red Mesa, Puerco, Cebolleta, and Mimbres Black-on-white (Wiseman 2014). Through most of the period of its production, Chupadero Black-on-white was the dominant decorated type at sites scattered over wide areas of central and southeastern New Mexico (Mera 1931).

Most examples of Chupadero Black-on-white are tempered with crushed pot-sherd fragments, although a variety of tempers are represented. Compositional analysis indicates Chupadero Black-on-white vessels were derived from at least two primary sources (Creel and others 2002) Chupadero Black-on-white found over a wide area exhibits very similar characteristics. Chupadero Black-on-white sherds usually have dense light gray to white pastes reflecting the use of low iron clay firing to buff colors and a low-oxidizing or neutral atmospheres. Chupadero tend to fire to similar buff colors in an oxidizing atmosphere. The undecorated surfaces of Chupadero Black-on-white are often unpolished with striated or scored treatments resulting from scraping. While Jelinek (1967) divided Chupadero Black-on-white sherds into several types thought to be temporally sensitive primarily based on the presence of slips, surface color, and temper type; these distinctions do not appear to be warranted. Striated treatments are common on interior of jars. Most surfaces are light gray in color with moderate polish. While most sherds are not slipped, a significant proportion displays a white slip over a gray paste.

Painted designs of Chupadero Black-on-white vessels often consist of combinations of hachured and solid motifs. Designs were executed in a series of panels where the basic design was repeated every one or two sections. At least four and as many as eight panels may be represented. The majority of Chupadero Black-on-white are dominated by a unique widely-traded olla form which exhibits a rounded base, and a small everted rim. Handles made of several coils commonly occur on the side (Wiseman 2014). Bowls also occur but do not appear to have been widely traded.

References:
Creel, Darrel G., Tiffany C. Cark, and Hector Neff
2002 Production and Long-Distance Movement of Chupadero Black-on-white Pottery in New Mexico and Texas. In Geochemical Evidence for Long Distance Exchange, edited by Michaeol D. Glasscock, pp. 109-132. Bergin and Garvey, Westport, Connecticut.

Farwell, Robin E., Yvonne R. Oakes, and Regge N. Wiseman
1992 Investigations into the Prehistory and History of the Upper Rio Bonito, Lincoln County, Southeastern New Mexico, Laboratory of Anthropology Notes 297, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe.

Hayes, Alden C., Jon N. Young, and A.H. Warren
1981 Contributions to Gran Quivira Archaeology, Gran Quivira National Monument, New Mexico. Publications in Archaeology No, 17, National Park Service, Washington D.C.

Jelinek, Arthur J.
1967 A Prehistoric Sequence in the Middle Pecos Valley, New Mexico. Anthropological Papers no.31. Ann Arbor: Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Kelley, Jane Holden
1984 The Archaeology of the Sierra Blanca Region of Southeastern New Mexico. Anthropological Papers No. 74. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Mera, H.P.
1931 Chupadero Black-on-white. Laboratory of Anthropology, Technical Series, Bulletin 1, Santa Fe.

Vivian, Gordon
1964 Excavations in a 17th Century Jumano Pueblo, Gran Quivira. National Park Service Archaeological Research Series, No. 8, Washington.

Wiseman, Reggie N.

1982 The Interning Years – New Information on Chupadero Black-on-white and Corona Corrugated. Pottery Southwest 9(4):5-7.

1986 An Initial Study of the Origin of Chupadero Black-on-White. Albuquerque Archaeological Society Not No. 3, Albuquerque.

2014 Introduction to Mera's "Chupadero Black-on-white". In Since Mera: The Original Eleven Bulletins, With Essays and Opinions Derived from Recent Research, edited by E. J Brown, R. N. Wiseman and Rory P. Gauthier, pp 25-28. Archaeological Society of
New Mexico Special Publication No. 5, Albuquerque.

Related Photos

Chupadero Black-on-white olla with handle

Chupadero Black-on-white unusual shaped handled jar

Chupadero Black-on-white olla with handle

Chupadero Black-on-white olla with handle

Chupadero Black-on-white olla with handle

Chupadero Black-on-white jar sherds

Chupadero Black-on-white jar sherd (exteriror surface)

Chupadero Black-on-white jar sherd (interior surface)

Chupadero Black-on-white bowl sherd

Chupadero Black-on-white jar sherd (exterior surface)

Chupadero Black-on-white jar (inteiror surface)

Chupadero Black-on-white jar sherd (exterior surface)

Chupadero Black-on-white jar sherd (interior surface)

Chupadero Black-on-white jar sherd (exteror surface)

Chupadero Black-on-white jar sherd (interior surface)

Chupadero Black-on-white jar sherd (exterior surface)

Chupadero Black-on-white jar sherd (interior surface)