NMDCA News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs (NMDCA) invites the community to dive into the rich history of the Mogollon-Mimbres Culture with a free lunchtime presentation by Archeologist Dean Wilson, titled “Some Ceramic Types from the Mogollon-Mimbres Country; Culture, Clay, Change, Connections, and Classification,” and look into the distinct pottery types that mark the long occupation of the Mogollon Highlands.
Characteristics of pottery of various native agriculture groups who lived in areas of the Mogollon Highlands in Southwestern New Mexico reflect influence from nearby “Ancestral Pueblo” groups and technology adapted to the distinct geography of this region.
Archaeologist Dean Wilson will focus on the changing sequence of Early Mogollon Decorated Ware, Mimbres White Ware, and Mogollon Brown Ware types for provinces in the Mogollon Highlands. The distinct characteristics noted for pottery assigned to these wares, while often characterized as reflecting a distinct cultural tradition, also seem to be the result of a long-lived technology adapted to the distinct temper, paste clay and slip resources associated with the volcanic fields and alluvial deposits that cover this region.
The distinct nature of pottery produced in these regions result from the use of ubiquitous high iron, soft low firing, porous and extremely moldable clay sources. The use of such resources resulted in very distinct pottery forms as compared to that associated with well-known pottery long produced by Ancestral Pueblo groups in the Colorado Plateau.
Bring a brown bag lunch and enjoy the unique opportunity to learn how culture, technology, and our natural environment worked together to shape the iconic pottery of the Mogollon-Mimbres people and appreciate the skill and resourcefulness of these ancient craftsmen. The free brown bag lunch and discussion take place at noon, Wednesday, Jan.14, at The New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies, 7 Old Cochiti Road in Santa Fe.
About the New Mexico Office of Archaeological Studies
The Office of Archaeological Studies conducts archaeological research projects throughout New Mexico with a diverse group of 6 archaeologists and support staff. Their mission is to identify, interpret, and share information about prehistoric and historic sites across the state. The office serves state agencies and private organizations that need archaeological studies performed as part of their development projects.