Stories in Clay by Kathy Eastman

One day I was doing a program on the prehistoric Pueblo Cultures to a group of fourth graders.  The term Pueblo Cultures is used to describe groups of people you might know as the prehistoric Hopi, Zuni and Anasazi.  I explained the people did not have a written language.  A young Hopi boy raised his hand and said “Yes they did. The stories are written on the pottery."  I always learn interesting new ideas from children!

This stunning Mayan Codex Vessel is in the Arizona Museum of Natural History’s collections.  The Mayan Peoples are well known for their use of written symbols, but this ceramic piece predates the known codexes.  We can only just imagine the amazing story this vessel is telling us 3,500 years later.

2 responses to “Stories in Clay by Kathy Eastman”

  1. Marian Giannatti Avatar
    Marian Giannatti

    Children have much to teach us – they “see” things that our adult minds overlook. What a wonderful experience. Thank you for the picture too – the vessel is fascinating!

  2. Sally Borg Avatar
    Sally Borg

    Out of the mouths of babes…. how wonderful that a fourth grader would share that with you, and give a lot of us something to think about.

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