Kinnikinnick Brown is a type of Alameda Brown Ware found on the east rim of Anderson Mesa in northern Arizona.

Archaeological Culture: Sinagua

Date Range: A.D. 1200-1400.

Construction: By paddle and anvil.

Firing: In an oxidizing atmosphere; fire clouds are common.

Core Color: Brown.

Carbon Streak: Sometimes.

Temper: Crushed basalt showing many green glassy olivine crystals similar to the rock that forms the rim of Anderson Mesa.

Surface Finish: Smooth and often porous when roots were present in the clay.

Surface Color: Red or brown.

Forms: Jars, sometimes with a Gila shoulder; rarely bowls.

Vessel Thickness: 3.6 to 9 mm.

Decoration: None.

Variants:

• Kinnikinnick Red – Same as Kinnikinnick Brown, except with a red slip. Occurs in bowl and jar form; bowls are sometimes smudged. Date range is also slightly different (A.D. 1130-1350).
• Chavez Brown – Same as Kinnikinnick Brown, except the temper grains are rounded; red slip is also sometimes present. Jar vessel thickness is 5 to 8.3 mm.

Comparisons: Kinnikinnick Red/Brown is easily confused with Sunset Red/Brown. Winona Brown and Tonto Red are also similar, but lack crushed basalt temper.

Compiled from the following sources:
Colton, Harold. (1958) Pottery Types of the Southwest. Museum of Northern Arizona Ceramic Series No. 3D. Flagstaff, Arizona.

Compiled by:
Meghann M. Vance, Northern Arizona University Anthropology Laboratories.