Before the Spanish presence, roughly 1540-41, there were over 70 pueblos in the Southwestern United States. Today, there are only 19. Of these, only four still make pottery for their own general use. The introduction of railroads in the early 1880s accelerated the rate of change. The pictures below show that some aspects of Pueblo life remained unchanged around 1910.
Pueblo deterioration hastens with each returning year.
Today there is tremendous interest in preserving and reviving traditional culture. The pottery of the Puebloan people provides a link with the traditions and people of the past. Many modern pueblo potters incorporate traditional designs. Saunders Corn Husking, Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico, c1910. Saunders A Hopi potter preparing to fire pottery bowls, New Mexico, c1910.