Intraregional connections in the development and distribution of salado polychromes in central Arizona

Salado polychrome is associated with Classic period (A.D. 1270-1450) sites across much of the American Southwest, but its distributions are variable. Although multiple production centers are recognized for these decorated vessels, their roles in intraregional social networks are still open to interpretation. Recent compositional studies using petrography and weak-acid extraction ICP-MS compare locally produced wares to the characterization of Salado polychromes. Data from several adjacent study areas are used to assess the development and distributions of Pinto, Gila, and Tonto Polychromes. These decorated vessels are evidence of a highly differentiated intraregional network of exchange and communication which spanned the platform mound communities of central Arizona.