Olla

The Cahuilla natives traditionally used ollas to store food and water. They made these vessels by grinding clay into a fine powder, mixing it with water, and building the shape with long coils of clay. The inside was pressed and smoothed with a small stone, while a wooden paddle helped refine the exterior. Keeping the clay damp prevented cracking. Once shaped, the olla was baked or fired, hardening the clay and making it fully watertight.