Hopi Pottery Symbols

Alexander M. Stephen, a self-taught anthropologist and an associate of Indian trader Thomas Keam, lived among the Hopi during the late nineteenth century. Having excellent rapport with the tribal elders, Stephen asked them the meaning of symbols on the pots he was collecting for Keam and recorded these interpretations in a catalogue entitled "Pottery of Tusayan: Catalogue of the Keam Collection." This manuscript is printed here in its entirety for the first time and is illustrated from the Keam Collection, which is now housed at the Peabody Museum, Harvard University. Alex Patterson then incorporates Stephen’s interpretations and cultural stories into a unique alphabetically arranged guide to the eighty-four symbols on the collected pots. "This compendium of Hopi pottery symbols is a scholarly, useful and exhaustive piece of work. Bringing to light Stephen's original work is in itself a contribution. Cultures evolve and although this work may not enable a person to interpret all modern Hopi pottery, it is most instructive for the interpretation of late prehistoric and early historic Hopi pottery." David A. Breternitz Professor Emeritus, Department of Anthropology University of Colorado, Boulder "Hopi Pottery Symbols should be required reading for all students and lovers of Pueblo pottery. Following in the footsteps of Alexander Stephen, Alex Patterson has made the rich world of Hopi visual symbolism accessible to us all." Ira Jacknis Associate Research Anthropologist P. H. Hearst Museum of Anthropology (formerly R. H. Lowie Museum of Anthropology) University of California at Berkeley "I greatly enjoyed reading Hopi Pottery Symbols. The book is very informative, well organized and . . . easily followed. Stephen's manuscript represents a significant contribution to the field of ceramic design analysis and is enhanced by the anecdotal asides and mythology incorporated into the text. The data is presented as related to Stephen and should not be confused with more fanciful interpretations of ceramic design." Timothy M. Kearns Archaeologist, Western Cultural Resource Management, Inc. Farmington, New Mexico "Alex Patterson brings a scholar's meticulous research and an aficionado's passion to his study of the symbols of ancient and contemporary indigenous Americans. More than that he brings an innate respect which honors the cultures while interpreting them for contemporary society. Hopi Pottery Symbols is a brilliant evocation of the ancient symbol language of the Hopi people and their ancestors. It will be welcomed by all who share an interest in and respect for the Southwest indigenous heritage." Robert Staffanson Executive Director, American Indian Institute Bozeman, Montana Includes bookmarks, bibliographical references and index.