Texas Archeology Month

Since 2021, The THC has been distributing free, archeology activity kits across the state. Our popular pinch-pot kits come with everything needed to learn about, make, and decorate a “pinch pot”—a simple pottery technique used by Texans and other cultures around the world for thousands of years.   

In 2023, the education department at the THC created easily implemented lesson plans for pre-k through 7th grade. These are now available on the THC website’s Learning Resources page. 

The Pinch Pot Activity Kits come with clay, a tool for decorating, and a handout with links to online resources. Many of our partners including schools, museums, volunteer groups, and local archeology/history societies help us assemble kits and act as distribution centers to meet the growing demand. To order your kit, please visit the Texas Archeology Month Partner Portal. These are available on a first come, first served basis.  

Already got your kits?  

First, start by watching the video below to learn how to make a pinch pot. The video was produced by Becky Shelton, one of THC’s regional archeological reviewers. 

Next, you’ll want to create designs in the wet clay with the tool provided or look around you to find interesting tools to make your own unique designs. For more inspiration, check out these resources: 

• The THC’s Historic Sites Division created this handout on Caddo Ceramic Traditions.  

• Visit Texas Beyond History’s Pottery Galleries and Created in Clay pages for beautiful examples of Caddo pottery designs you can try out. Older students may even want to try their hand at Making Cordmarked Pottery. 

Finally, learn more about Texas pottery traditions and the peoples that developed them! 

• Visit the Kids World of the Caddo exhibit to learn about the Caddo people who lived in East Texas and made beautiful pottery. 

• Present-day Caddo Nation tribal members have revived their ceramic tradition, with amazing examples from some of the most prominent Caddo artists found here. 

• The Created in Clay exhibit provides lots of detailed information on the Caddo ceramics found at archeological sites. 

• The Coastal Pottery page describes ceramics made along the Texas Coast by ancestors of the historic Karankawa tribes. 

The Texas Archeology Month Calendar and Map are updated on a weekly basis through October. If you do not see your information posted within one week of submission, please email TAM@thc.texas.gov. 

The map below highlights TAM events around the state and lists where pinch pots are available for pick up in October through our distribution partners.