The Mineralogical and Chemical Variability of Casas Grandes Polychromes Throughout the International Four Corners

Paquimé (Casas Grandes) and its culturally associated hinterland span the International Four Corners, which includes southeastern corner of Arizona, the southernmost regions of New Mexico, the eastern edge of Sonora, and much of the modern state of Chihuahua. Through time, these geographic boundaries have been primarily determined through the presence of Casas Grandes polychromes which have acted as one of the defining features of their eponymous region (Brand 1935; Sayles 1936; Whalen and Minnis 2001a, 2012). Though these ceramics are accompanied by other traits, polychromes remain the only category of material culture not criticized for having a geographically spotty distribution. It is not surprising that from early in the history of Casas Grandes archaeology that polychromes have been a subject of many studies and academic discussions.However, the current typology has not been fruitful in regard to traditional questions of temporal and spatial sensitivity. Some of the less well studied secondary characteristics, however, such as paste color and paint type, may be useful for addressing more current anthropological questions in that they probably represent behavioral modes and communities of practice. Up until this point, such secondary characteristics have received little comprehensive attention. This dissertation represents an attempt to remedy breaches in our comprehensive understanding of Casas Grandes polychromes by presenting results from multiple characterization techniques focusing on describing paste and black paints.Ultimately, my analyses revealed the fact that Casas Grandes potters adhere to a limited number of identifiable potting traditions regarding the manufacture of pigments and ceramic bodies. What is more, these recipes do not have direct relationships to one another but rather cross-cut formal types. Additionally, compositional paint groups and paste types do not directly correspond to one another. Perhaps most significant, is clear evidence that these modes of procurement regarding raw clay types, specifically, appear to be a long-situated pattern of behavior. I can only speculate as to whether or not these procurement patterns have antecedents prior to AD 1150 when the Medio begins, though it seems most certain that they would. Most importantly, regardless of possible antecedents, this pattern long precedes the florescence of Paquimé