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Pottery type
Shallow Incised Ware
Shallow Incised Ware500 – 1500 A.D.Columbia Plateau / Northwest PotteryKey facts
- Age
- 500 – 1500 A.D.
- Cultural period
- Columbia Plateau / Northwest Pottery
- Material
- Coarse to medium sandy clay tempered with grit. Incising is minimal and applied shortly before firing.
Description
Shallow Incised Ware is characteristic of some Northwestern Plateau groups. Vessels are small to medium bowls and jars with lightly incised lines on the rim or upper body. Incisions are shallow, narrow, and typically arranged in horizontal or oblique bands. The remainder of the vessel surface is plain and smoothed.
Size
Common vessel heights are 10–22 cm, with rim diameters around 12–24 cm. Walls are moderately thick, about 6–10 mm.
Distribution
Found across the Columbia Plateau, Snake River drainage, and adjacent Northwest interior regions.
Mainly found in
Additional information
This ware reflects a transitional ceramic tradition in regions where pottery was not a dominant craft. The incised decoration is usually minimal and can vary significantly between communities.