Started in 1998, the Pitfire is a cross-curricular activity for fourth grade students. It is the culmination of a 9-week unit of coil pottery celebrating the art of Pueblo people; in particular the San Ildefonso. Modeled after the work of Maria Martinez, the firing process is unique. The pots are set upon an iron grate and and surrounded with metal sheets. Dried cowpies are used as a fire source. Once ignited and allowed to burn, dried horse manure covers the fire and smolders for several hours. The carbon from the manure shoots through the pots and turns them black!!