Nampeyo Pottery Native American Hopi Southwest Poster

Nampeyo was already becoming a highly regarded potter within her tribe when archaeologist Jesse W. Fewkes began an excavation of a nearby Pueblo ruin known as Sikyatki. Nampeyo’s husband was part of the local laborers hired to help dig. The excavation site contained many sherds (archaeological term for ceramic shards) from the years 1375 to 1625. Although Fewkes is sometimes credited with reviving Sikyatki pottery, it was actually Nampeyo who was studying,drawing, and recreating what she found among the ruins. She did not copy items that she found, but rather drew inspiration and design forms from her artisan ancestors. She was able to recreate the same type of clay mixture and decorative style. Her work attracted the attention of the Smithsonian and Chicago Field Museum.