Corrugated Ware

These vessels are described as "corrugated" a term that refers to the uneven outer surface of these ollas.  Corrugated ware was used for cooking, usually placed right in the fire pit, propped up on rocks or sitting in the coals.  The  corrugations increase the surface area.  This means less fuel is required to heat the contents of the olla because the corrugations capture heat which is otherwise lost.