Pueblo I ceramic production and distribution: An investigation into prehistoric social interaction on the Manti-La Sal National Forest, San Juan County, Utah

This thesis examines Pueblo I ceramic production and distribution in the South Cottonwood Watershed in southeastern Utah. This examination of ceramic production and distribution is based on data collected through the experimental refiring of Pueblo I sherds surface collected from sites located within the South Cottonwood Watershed. The purpose of this experiment was to identify variation in clay and temper utilized in the production of Pueblo I ceramics throughout the study area. The primary goal of this investigation is to identify indications of social interaction within and/or between groups that occupied the South Cottonwood Watershed. Ceramic refiring data, specifically variability in the range of colors sherds refire to, has the potential to yield evidence relating to the number of producers involved in the manufacture of a particular ceramic type and/or to suggest variety in the clay sources utilized in the production of a particular ceramic type (Allison 1995).;Initial analysis of refired clay color for the various types of Pueblo I pottery included in this study suggests that prehistoric occupants from Milk Ranch Point, South Cottonwood Wash, and the Chippean Ridge areas participated in varying levels of ceramic production and distribution. In each of the three areas, the results indicate that gray ware production occurred at the individual household level. In contrast, the data suggest some differences in the manner that white wares and red wares were obtained throughout the study area. The data indicates that Milk Ranch Point groups participated in trade networks to bring White Mesa Black-on-white vessels into the area, but not at the same intensity as groups from the South Cottonwood Wash and Chippean Ridge areas. The increased percentage of iron-rich white ware sherds suggests that groups from Milk Ranch Point were involved in some local production of white wares utilizing iron-rich clay. The data further suggests that some red ware production may have occurred within the Milk Ranch Point locale, based on the availability of suitable clays.