The Hopi, located in and around the "Four Corners" area in the southwestern United States have the longest authenticated occupation of any single territory within all the American Tribes. Beginning in approximately 500 CE they developed from a hunter/gather society into one with incredible masonry, fascinating culture and ceremonial cycles and complex trade routes with other tribes. After the mid 16th century and European contact, they have gone the way of all other major tribes in the Americas. Their reservation is located in the Four Corners area but is merely 9% of their original territories. By the 1930' the Hopi began to develop their reputation for incredible silversmithing and developed their breathtaking overlay technique. In 1949 they organized the Hopi Arts and Crafts Silvercraft Cooperative Guild and currently they continue to augment their economy by selling their highly collectible and beautiful jewelry.
