American Indian Pottery

A brief analysis of Indian Pottery, based on a museum exhibit prepared by the author. Pottery is neither simple nor purely utilitarian. Its development represents a conceptual leap in the history of human invention, involving the transformation of the most elemental materials of human experience--earth, water, and fire. It is both an art and a step in the process of survival. Native American peoples produced a rich diversity of vessels, and expressed their distinctive philosophies and lifestyles through its use, design, and handling. Today, archaeologists study these artifacts for clues to the behavior of the early Americans.