Seed bowl (squash jar)

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

To search on related items, click any linked text below.