Jeddito Yellow Ware was, and still is, made by the Hopi Indians. This type of ware dates from as early as 1275 A.D. until the present. Jeddito Yellow Ware has been found at over 430 sites in northeast Arizona, also called the Four Corners Region. There are two theories on why Jeddito Yellow Ware was so widely distributed. The first is that it was distributed among a controlled exchange network. The second theory disputes the first. The second theory is that Jeddito Yellow Ware was distributed through an inter-community exchange. The evidence for this is that it is found in sites of different sizes and types. The assumption of the first theory is that it would be found at only large sites that were a part of the controlled exchange network.

There are 17 different types of Jeddito Yellow Ware. Many of the wares have a polychrome type as well as a monochrome type. Jeddito Black-on-Yellow ware is the basis from which many of the different types emerge. Some of its derivatives are made to this day. One of the types is Sikyatki. This type was made 500 years ago in a village that the Hopi abandoned before the Europeans came. In 1540 AD Francisco de Coronado set out on a journey to find the wealth of the fabled 7 cities of Cibola. The golden dishes said to have been there were likely pieces of Sikyatki Polychrome which were orange and yellow in color.

The Hopi Indians are a very spiritual people and as a result many of the images on the pottery they made are spiritual images. Many of the pieces of ware contain images of Kachinas, which are a big part of the Hopi religion. Kachinas are the spirits that the Hopi ask for rain and good crop growth. Many bowls have been found buried next to the dead with food in them. This might suggest that the Hopis held a belief in future life. Feathers are also a common image on the pottery. It is thought that the feathers are symbolized as women’s prayers.

Links:

These two links are good examples of Jeddito Black-on-yellow ware.

http://www.hyattrestorations.com/A5-25_Jeddito_Bowl_3s.jpg

http://www.hyattrestorations.com/A5-25_Jeddito_Bowl_1s.jpg

This is an excellent link for further information about the Hopi Indians and their culture.

http://www.rr.gmcs.k12.nm.us/domagala.hopi.htm

References:

Adams, E. Charles, Miriam T. Stark, and Deborah S. Dosh. Ceramic Distribution and Exchange: Jeddito Yellow Ware and Implications for Social Complexity. Journal of Field Archaeology, 20 (1993) Abstract. Retrieved [May 5, 2000] from http://jfa-www.bu.edu/Abstracts/A/AdamsE_20_1.html

Brody, J. Beauty From The Earth. Philadelphia: The University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 1990.

Dittert, Alfred, and Fred Plog. Generations In Clay: Pottery of Pueblo the American Southwest. Flagstaff, Arizona: Northland Publishing, 1980.

“Francisco Vásquez de Coronado.” http://www.win.tue.nl/~engels/discovery/coronado.html May 8, 2000

“Symbolism on Hopi and Zuni Pottery.” http://www.sfsu.edu/~museumst/QTVR/content05.html May 6, 2000.

“What is a Kachina?” http://www.wpl.lib.oh.us/docs/Kachina/what.html May 1, 2000.

Written by: Angela Anderson