Ancestral Pueblo: Southern Colorado Plateau (Anasazi)Central AnasaziChuskaChuska White Ware (Organic Paint)Theodore Black-on-white

Type Name: Theodore Black-on-white

Period: 775 A.D. - 825 A.D
Culture: Ancestral Pueblo: Southern Colorado Plateau (Anasazi)
Branch: Central Anasazi
Tradition: Chuska
Ware: Chuska White Ware (Organic Paint)


First posted by C. Dean Wilson 2012

Theodore Black-on-white was defined by Wilson and Peckham (1964). This type closely resembles Lino Black-on-white but is tempered with large trachyte fragments that may be visible on both surfaces (Reed and others 1998). The earliest date assigned to this type is in the late eight of early ninth century, and thus appears to have a significantly later starting date than most types exhibiting Basketmaker III styles. This late date seems to reflect the time during which trachyte was employed by potters in the Chuska region, rather than a lag of production of decorated ceramics in this region.

Most forms are represented by bowls that are not polished or slipped on either surface although unpolished jars may also be represented. Designs are executed in a black to light gray organic pigment. Designs are similar to those noted on other Basketmaker III types and are often arranged in isolated groups of two or three arrangements or pendants from the rim. Designs motifs include thin lines, solid or open triangles, ticks, flags, and dot or basket stitched ("Z" and "I" s) motif filled spaces. This type is also similar to Chapin Black-on-white and may include forms resembling the earlier later styles defined for this type.

References:
Reed, Lori S., Joell Goff, and Kathy Niles Hensler
1998 Exploring Ceramic Production, Distribution, and Exchange in the Southern Chuska Valley: Analytical Results from the El Paso Natural Gas North Expansion Project, Pipeline Archaeology 1990-1993: The El Paso Natural Gas System Expansion Project, New Mexico and Arizona, Vol XI, Book 1, Report no, WCRM (F)74, Farmington.

Wilson, John P., and Stewart Peckham
1964 Chuska Valley Ceramics. Manuscript on file, Laboratory of Anthropology, Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe.




Related Photos

Theodore Black-on-white sherd