The article presents results of archaeological and historical investigations in Puebla, Mexico designed to provide more secure chronological seriation of Colonial period majolica pottery. Puebla was a center of majolica production during the three centuries of Spanish rule, and the pottery production locations were easily located, thanks to previous historical research. Beyond the chronological issues, identification of a restricted potters quarter provoked a number of sociological questions about the causes and consequences of localization of pottery production. Historical records partially document the growth of the pottery industry in the northwest quadrant of the city from the late 16th century on. Pottery-making lineages can be traced, and continued pottery production in single locations can be documented for up to 250 years. Majolica production declined due to a variety of interrelated factors during the 19th and early 20th century. Archaeological investigations focused on an area just west of the former potters quarter where it was thought that potteries had dumped much refuse. Surface and subsurface evidence indicated that the area did not become a general dump until about the middle of the 19th century, although a few sherds pertaining to earlier periods were encountered. The original goal of refining the Puebla majolica sequence with material from the source thus was not achieved.