The Implications of Fremont Pottery in Montana

Fremont pottery was recovered at the Valley of the Shields rock art site in Montana and dated by luminescence at circa A.D. 1500. The Fremont archaeological culture of northern Colorado and Utah is thought to have dispersed circa A.D. 1350, meaning that Montana Fremont pottery appeared late in time. Recent research suggests that the Fremont spoke a Tanoan language, and when they disbanded, major groups moved east to join the Rio Grande Pueblos, while another group, the Kiowa, who spoke a Tanoan language are believed to have moved north to the region around Yellowstone National Park. Importantly, artifacts found with Montana Fremont pottery are made of the same material type that was found in an excavation beneath a panel of Castle Gardens-style rock art figures at Valley of the Shields. These combined discoveries suggest that Montana Fremont pottery is the product of the proto-Kiowa, and they are the most likely group to have made Castle Gardens-style rock art shields.