An Analysis of Temper in Glazeware from the Northern Rio Grande Region, N.M.: Implications for Trade during the Protohistoric Period (1450-1680 A.D.)

Abstract

During the 1988 field season, the NRGRP excavated sample test pits at thirteen sites in the subject area, providing a substantial collection of artifacts for analysis. Figure 1 shows these sites by their Laboratory of Anthropology (LA) number and common name. This extensive geographic range of excavation provided an opportunity to examine the ceramics from stratified samples over a broad area. Figure 2 shows the same area with its three regions of ceramic production; glazeware, black-on-white and biscuit ware were the types of decorated ware made during this time period. I chose to analyze the temper used in producing glazeware, since this analysis had not yet been performed on the NRGRP collection. I could also fill a void in previous research by analyzing a time-controlled and broad geographic ceramic sample. I worked with this collection for three months at the Field Museum, where it is now stored for analysis.