First posted by C. Dean Wilson

Kiua Polychrome was defined by Harlow (1967). Kiua Polychrome refers to decorated pottery that appears to be directly ancestral to pottery today produced at Cochiti and Santo Domingo Pueblo and occurs at both Pueblo and Hispanic sites in the Middle Rio Grande (Harlow 1973; Franklin 2007). Traits utilized to define this type are extremely to those noted for Powhoge Polychrome from the Tewa Basin that reflect both historic connections and geological similarities (Brody 2008), and there seems to be inconsistency in the identification of these types, particular for sherds, with identifications apparently commonly based on area of recovery. The basis for the differentiation seems to be largely based on slight differences in paste and slip. Kiua Polychrome appears to be tempered with a larger crystalline or vitric tuff. Pastes are relatively hard and compact and tannish in cross-section with red or orange slips. Slip of Kiua Polychrome exhibits surfaces that were polished with a rag, producing a gritty surface covered with fine striations and slight upturned edges (Harlow 1983; Harlow 1973). The red band of slip clay on Kiua Polychrome is usually wider than noted for Powhoge Polychrome. Rims of examples of Kiua produced after A.D. 1800 tend to be decorated with black pigment and contrasts with a significantly later shift for Tewa decorated types. Designs include similar bold geometric designs described for Powhoge Polychrome. Forms include jars with globular bodies and short neck and shallow and steep bowls.

References:
Brody J. J.
2008 The Anomalous Painted Pottery of Santo Domingo and Cochiti Pueblos: A Brief History. A River Apart; The of Cochiti and Santo Domingo Pueblo, by . K. Verzuh. Pp 61-76. Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe.

Franklin, Hayward H.
Pueblo and Hispanic Ceramics at Los Ranchos Plaza. In Los Ranchos Plaza (LA 46638). Test Excavations at a Spanish Colonial Settlement in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, 1996-1997, by Carol J. Condie, pp 57-84. Maxwell Museum Technical Series No. 4, University of New Mexico. Albuquerque.


Harlow, Francis H.

1967 Historic Pueblo Indian Pottery, Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe.

1973 Matte Paint Pottery of the Tewa, Keres, and Zuni Pueblos. Museum of New Mexico, Santa Fe.