How Do You Identify Ancient Texas Indian Pottery Markings?
It is believed that Native Americans began making pottery in what is now the continental United States sometime between 25,000 B.C. and 8,000 B.C. Pottery was initially created as utensils and for carrying and storing items and soon began to develop distinctive shapes and styles. Pottery was also used for ceremonial and tribal purposes. In the area that is now known as the state of Texas, some Indian cultures included the Apache, Kiowa, Caddo and Comanche tribes. Identify cordmarked pottery, which was indicative of Indians who lived along the Canadian River in the Texas Panhandle. Cordmarked pottery has parallel indentations on the outside surface, which was created by the use of a paddle wrapped with a cord. This method is typically found in cooking pots or jars. Look for pottery that would have been used for cooking by their large, sturdy appearance. Many vessels are red in appearance due to the local clay content and have large gray areas on the pottery due to the firing process use
