We’ve already looked at the transition from pithouses to kivas and the dioramas at the Archeological Museum on Mesa Top, but today we’re going to look at the Pueblo people’s jewelry, pottery, and all the ways they used the yucca plant.
Over 5600 beads on original cord make up this beautiful necklace that would be worn today. Seven strands of thin stone disc beads have been braided, and the 20 pendant strands are each tipped with an olivella shell (small predatory sea snails).
more jewelry
This necklace was found in a small mesa top pueblo south of the museum
Necklace is made of shale and shell beads. Did you notice the button-looking shells in the top corner?
Lovely bracelets were cut from glycimeris shell (common name for saltwater clams).
This jewelry shows us how much trading must have been going on!
pottery
These outstanding pieces of Mesa Verde pottery are noted for its clear, black, geometric designs on a grayish-white background. The decorations were painted freehand and show an amazing sense of balance and design.
This design would certainly sell well today.
I’d love to have some in our home.
Present-day Pueblo Indians still make canteens in these unusual shapes. The 2 handles were for attaching a carrying cord. Seems like an awkward design to me since the canteens would keep bumping while the person walked.
yucca plant
This common plant on the mesa top was a staple for the Pueblo people.
Such a valuable plant!
Narrow leaf species grows at a lower elevation.
While the broad leaf produces a stalk in late spring of edible, lily-like flowers that eventually develop into large, green fruits.
Yucca fibers were woven to produce blankets, belts, tumplines (straps for carrying sacks or bags that goes around the forehead so the spine is used rather than the shoulders as with our backpacks), and sandals. Other items, such as baskets, mats, and jar rests were woven from complete leaves.
The fibrous broad leaf yucca was used to produce rope, nets, snares, sandal lashes, and loom ties. It was also used for sewing, stringing corn to dry, and repairing clothing and household items.
Yucca flowers can be eaten raw, boiled, or roasted. A recipe for Yucca Flower Soup is included.
The stalks can be eaten too. Yucca seeds found in excavated hearths suggest the fleshy fruits were eaten. Pueblo natives commonly bake or boil the fruits for later consumption.
Tea made from the dried yucca root helps with join inflammation such as rheumatism and arthritis, serves as a laxative, and reduces urethra and prostate problems. Ingestion of the root itself is toxic to humans. Shredded and pounded yucca root produces soap, and today the Pueblo and Navajo people wash their hair with yucca suds before ceremonies.
The yucca plant is used by traditional artists such as in this basket.
This artist is painting pottery with a yucca fiber brush. To create it, the narrow leaves are chewed on one end to expose the fibers.
This really is one versatile plant! Now it’s time to go back outside.
