First posted by Dean Wilson 2014

Cimarron Micaceous was defined by Gunnerson (1969). This type refers to micaceous utility ware produced after major settlement shifts by Jicarilla groups during the eighteenth and nineteenth century (Eiselt 2006). After these shifts two Ollero bands resided along the Chama west of the Rio Grande Rio Oso area near Abiquiu and three Lanero bands resided in the plains along the Canadian River drainage (Eiselt 2013; Gunnerson 1969). In the 1880s the Jicarilla Apache were removed to areas farther to the west to their present reservation, and they appear to stopped making pottery shortly after that time. Pottery indicative of this type is best documented for the Rio Oso area, where studies indicate pottery produced by Jicarilla potters were commonly traded to and consumed by Hispanic households residing in the surrounding area (Eiselt and Darling 2012). This type is best documented for sites in the Rio Oso area. Forms include large and small bowls, large deep bowls (bag-shaped ollas), pinch pots, and pipes.

The most distinctive characteristic of Cimarron Micaceous are flat and sanded or polished lip profiles with parallel sides and L-shaped profiles that expand to the exterior, and keeled profiles (Eiselt 2006). Lip profiles tend to correspond to vessel form with keeled orinternally angled lips prevalent on bowls. Bowls also may display lips that are sub-angular or tapered in profile. The lips of fluted rims are typically parallel sided with squared margins. Rim tops may be sanded and polished or may exhibit a groove along the length of the lip face. Another characteristic of Cimarron Micaceous is the presence of small indentations on the rim top. Exterior surfaces display pronounced striations that may be partially obliterated by the application of a thin micaceous slip. Vessel interiors (and frequently exteriors also) are frequently smoothed by sanding and stone polishing or rag burnishing. Exterior and interior surfaces are compacted (smooth) to faceted and tend to have a mat finish or waxy luster from light polishing or buffing of the slip/slurry. A thin-walled version of Cimarron micaceous has been found in several Ollero assemblages (Eiselt 2006). Cimarron Micaceous may include fine medium-sized jars only and are characterized by expanding rims and a waxy surface appearance.

References:
Eiselt, Bernice Sunday

2006 Appendix E; A Brief Guide to Identification of Historic Micaceous of the Northern Rio Grande: Including Types Attributed to Hispanic, Northern Tewa, and Jicarilla Apache Potters. In the Emergence of Jicarilla Apache Enclave Economy During the 19th Century in Northern New Mexico, pp. 519-552, Ph.D. Dissertation, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

2013 Upland–Lowland Corridors and Historic Jicarilla Apache Settlement in the NorthernRio Grande. In From Mountaintop to Valley Bottom; Understanding Past Land Use in the Northern Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico, edited by Bradley J. Vierra, pp 131-144. University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City.

Eiselt, B. Sunday, and J. Andrew Darling
2012 Vecino Economics: Gendered Economy and Micaceous Pottery Consumption in Nineteenth-Century Northern New Mexico. American Antiquity 77(3):424–448.

Gunnerson, James H.
1969 Apache Archaeology in Northeastern New Mexico. American Antiquity 34:23-39.

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Cimarron Micaceous jar with handle

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Cimarron Micaceous jar

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Cimarron Micaceous jar

Cimarron Micaceous jar

Cimarron Micaceous jar

Cimarron Micaceous jar with handle