Salado Pottery

photograph of Salado bowl Well-preserved cliff dwellings were occupied by the Salado during the 13th, 14th, and early 15th centuries. These people farmed in the Salt River Valley and supplemented their diet by hunting and gathering native wildlife and plants. The Salado were fine craftsmen, producing some of the most exquisite polychrome pottery and intricately woven textiles to be found in the Southwest. Many of these objects are on display in the Visitor Center museum. photograph of pottery collection

Because vessels and fragments survive the centuries, and because artistry and component materials vary from place to place, we can identify Southwestern cultures by their pottery. Like other pueblo people, Salado women fashioned plain and decorative wares for cooking, storage, and ceremonial use. Red clay came from local pits along the river or hillsides, and coloring was derived from plant and mineral sources. These polychrome wares, a jar and bowl, are prime examples of the Salado's art and imagination.