Coyotepec

This area has produced pottery for centuries. Pottery artifacts unearthed in many of Oaxaca's archaeological sites have been traced to the clay found only in this area. With the advent of plastic jugs, the use of the heavy pottery was abandoned. The potters of Coyotepec searched for new applications of their pottery skills. One resident, Doña Rosa, came up with a method for making pottery urns of the type used to transportmescal decorative black pottery from the local clay. Her method involves a shorter firing time and a polishing treatment to the surfaces. She attempted to keep her technique a secret, but word got out and there are a number of shops producing this type of pottery locally. The pottery is decorative only and should not be used for cooking or serving. It is rumored that diesel fuel, essentially a multipurpose household agent in Mexico, is involved in the process. Some imitators have been known to use black shoe polish in their process. The older utilitarian pottery pieces were not black in color, but more of a light grayish brown color. The Doña Rosa shop is probably the largest and most well-stocked in town. Doña Rosa herself has passed on, but the business continues in her family. There is an interesting pottery-making demonstration conducted by her son. The shop will ship your purchases home if you desire. The pieces are rather fragile, not being hard-fired, so care should be taken when packing them