26 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 82 



horizons at the present time, the data procured from stratigraphic 

 evidence at Showlow should prove of interest to archeologists. It is 

 also possible here to include some of the invaluable results which have 

 been obtained from the study of tree rings displayed in charcoal. The 

 reliable stratigraphical method of studying prehistory bids fair to be 

 surpassed by this newer means of establishing succession, which 

 embraces the association of artifacts with datable timber. Results 

 obtained from stratigraphy will not only be checked but will be supple- 

 mented with the precision that only accurate dates can give. However, 

 precaution must be exercised in its use, for the associated circumstances 

 are of utmost imjx)rtance. For instance, the finding of newly developed 

 ceramic types in very old rooms, or in rooms where structural timbers 

 were re-used, would be certain to give misleading results unless 

 corroborated by other finds. 



At Showlow ruin, the association of pottery with datable charcoal 

 was relied upon to a certain extent in an attempt to establish a 

 sequence. This is true especially of the pottery from the more recently 

 occupied section of the pueblo. In arriving at ceramic correlations 

 between Showlow and Pinedale ruins, charcoal proved to be of in- 

 valuable assistance. 



Hough * observed that potsherds on the surface at Showlow ruin 

 were exceedingly scarce. This reminded him of the practice of modern 

 Zuni potters, who gather from the rubbish heaps of old ruins sherds for 

 pulverization to be used as tempering material in clays for new vessels. 

 That this practice obtained in more remote times is well known to all 

 students of southwestern prehistory. We found it also at Showlow. 



In the corner of room i, test 12, was encountered a polychrome-on- 

 red bowl filled to the brim with sherds which had apparently been 

 picked up on the trash pile. There is little question but that these 

 had been set aside for future grinding. Almost all types of pottery 

 known at the pueblo up to the time of collection were represented. 

 This has a slight bearing on the technology to which we refer later. 

 Not far from the sherd collection and leaning against the wall was the 

 kneading slab pictured in plate 6, figure 2. The several slight depres- 

 sions in the working surface were caused by much mixing of ground 

 sherds with clay and the kneading of the paste to obtain the proper 

 consistency. Behind the slab was stored a quantity of raw clay of 

 gray color just as it had been mined, and yellow ochre for use as 

 coloring matter. Worthy of mention too, are several fragments of 

 unfired vessels which were recovered. These clearly show the gray 



' Hough, Walter, 1903, p. 301. 



