These ceramics have been described as Santan Red-on-Buff by Patricia L. Crown (Hammack and Sullivan, 1981;151-162). Haury previously described these as Casa Grande Red-on-Buff (Haury, 1945;51-63). The most distinguishing character of these ceramics is found in the jar forms. Most Sacaton jars exhibit Gila Shoulders with recurved rims and virtually no necks. Casa Grande jars, according to Haury, may have Gila, round, or classic shaped shoulders (Haury;1945:Plates 6, 7, and 76). All three forms have straight necks with a design usually painted on the necks, unlike most earlier Sacaton jars that usually don’t have enough of a neck for a design. The Casa Grande jars that have a Gila Shoulder with a straight neck would seem to be the transitional form. However, it appears that this form can be found in association with the others (round and classic shaped shoulders) and were possibly made during the same time period. Because all three jar forms seem to share common design elements and layouts, “Santan Red-on-Buff” is considered Casa Grande Red-on-Buff in this guide. Gila shouldered jars with straight necks likely date to the Soho Phase, about A.D. 1125 - 1300. Other jar forms may expand the full Classic Period, about A.D. 1125 - 1450.

There is a design element that Crown writes about that may be temporally important. These are separate squiggle lines, also known as independent wavy lines, located above and/or below the banded designs on “Santan” Red-on-Buff vessels (Hammack and Sullivan,1981;155). On the Casa Grande examples the squiggle line is separate or divorced from the framing line(s) (see example numbers H2Y, H3Y, H4Y in the Casa Grande Red-on-Buff section in this guide). On late Sacaton Red-on-Buff examples the squiggle lines seem to be painted next to or much closer to the framing lines (See examples in Haury,1965;Plate CXXXIX;E,F). I have seen this motif on many Casa Grande vessels with "Gila" shoulders, and normal round shoulders, but not on vessels with "classic" shoulders. These Early Casa Grande vessels that have divorced squiggle lines may possibly be temporally specific in the Soho Phase (approximately 1125-1300) of the Classic Period. These divorced squiggle lines are not to be confused with squiggle lines within the band designs (such as squiggle hatch lines) found on early to late Casa Grande vessels (approx. 1125-1450 A.D.). (See vessel #H1Y in the Casa Grande Red-on-Buff Section in this guide)

This page last revised: 06/14/2010

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