Guest Speaker: Dr. Kelsey E. Hanson
Abstract: In the Pueblo World of the U.S. Southwest, color is integral to a complex system of relationships
connecting cardinal directions, animals, plants, sociopolitical structures, and sacred geographies. The
preparation of paint is often viewed as an act of chromatic prayer that reinforces these relationships.
This talk explores the social and technological dimensions of chromatic prayer through the
production of blue-green paint—a color tied to all-important rain and vegetation—using a case
study from Chaco Canyon (A.D. 850–1150). Using innovative micro-sampling techniques and non-
destructive methods, I describe a unique recipe for blue-green identified in Chacoan painted
performance media, highlighting its widespread use among Chaco great houses. I suggest that the
act of creating blue-green served as both a powerful expression of identity and a means of
participation in Chaco society, offering a unique window into broader social and cultural dynamics.
