Columbia Incised Pottery

Columbia Incised is a Northwest / Columbia Plateau pottery type characterized by incised lines or simple geometric motifs cut into smoothed vessel surfaces. Vessels are often small to medium jars and bowls with rounded bases and simple rims. Incisions may form bands, chevrons, or simple horizontal and oblique lines, generally shallow but clearly visible after firing.

Typical vessels range from about 120 to 240 mm in diameter and 110 to 230 mm in height. Wall thickness is generally 5 to 9 mm, with bases slightly thicker.

Found mainly along the middle Columbia River and some of its tributaries in Washington and Oregon, often in association with late precontact and protohistoric village sites.

Columbia Incised is less common than plain wares but provides useful stylistic and regional information where it occurs. Incised motifs may overlap with other Plateau and Great Basin traditions, so context and paste are important for secure identification.