Seed bowl (squash jar)

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This flat-topped pottery container is from a collection of pottery from the Salt River Valley, Arizona, presented to the Museum in 1939. These vessels had probably been grave goods; many graves were unscientifically excavated during this century.

This container, which is called a seed bowl or a squash jar - because it resembles the vegetable squash with its top cut off - is made of fired clay, coated with a white slip and decorated with a black geometric painted design.

Household vessels for cooking and serving food and drink were placed in graves, for continued use by their former owners in the afterlife, by people living in south-western USA between 750 and 1300. Seed pots were for storing foodstuffs and other material.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-670-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1939.77
• Date: 1100 - 1250
  Between 1100 and 1250
  
• Material: Inscription: Two encircling bands, one of chequer-work, the other of diagonal waved lines
  Jar
  
• Dimensions: 4.25" H x 7.50" D
  
• What: Jar
  
• Subject: Pottery
  
• Who:
• Where: North America, South West Area, Arizona, Salt River Valley
  
• Event:
• Description: Painted jar of grey pottery, depressed but with no neck or lip: North American Indians, South West Area, from Salt River Valley, Arizona, 1100 - 1250
  
• References:
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