Chronological Changes in Pottery Production in the Phoenix Basin: Evidence from La Villa

Recent excavations at La Villa recovered a large quantity of pottery that spanned a broad range of time from the Vakhi (ca. A.D. 500-700) to Early Sacaton phase (ca. A.D. 950-1020). Binocular and petrographic analysis of this corpus provides insights into changes in pottery production and distribution in the Phoenix Basin, particularly for Hohokam decorated ceramic types. The results from examining early red-on-gray through red-on-gray/buff sherds indicates those vessels were made with crushed schist and sand that mostly derived from sources located along the Middle Gila River. Later red-on-buff types appear to have been produced with sand containing natural schist from areas along this river, but also from production sources near South Mountain. In addition to an increase in decorated production in this area, plain ware manufacture also occurred here and confirms existing data indicating specialized production around South Mountain. Thus, data from La Villa has corroborated the focused manufacture of plain and decorated wares in specific areas of the Phoenix Basin, while also documenting a technological change in the production of Hohokam buff ware. This has broader implications for clarifying chronological changes in the economic and social connections of people in this area.

This presentation is based on a report by Desert Archaeology, Inc. published in the volume Excavations at La Villa: Continuity and Change at an Agricultural Village, edited by M. W. Lindeman. Technical Report No. 2012-08. Desert Archaeology, Inc., Tucson.

A discussion of the research can also be found in: Ownby, M.F., Heidke, J.M., and Wallace, H.D., 2015. New Insights into Hohokam Buff Ware Production and Distribution. American Antiquity 80:387-396.