Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7fkt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T12:02:29.277Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

High-Precision Trace-Element Characterization of Major Mesoamerican Obsidian Sources and Further Analyses of Artifacts from San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Robert H. Cobean ,
James R. Vogt ,
Michael D. Glascock  and
Terrance L. Stocker
Robert H. Cobean
Affiliation:
Subdirección de Estudios Arqueológicos, Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, Córdoba 45, México, D.F. 06700
James R. Vogt
Affiliation:
Research Reactor, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211
Michael D. Glascock
Affiliation:
Research Reactor, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211
Terrance L. Stocker
Affiliation:
Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, Provo, UT 84602
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

High-precision trace-element analyses for 208 geological samples representing 25 mesoamerican obsidian sources were obtained using instrumental neutron-activation analysis to measure a total of 28 elements per sample. These are the first detailed chemical studies ever published for many of the source areas. Especially intensive analyses were made for six sources in the states of Veracruz and Puebla in Mexico from the region of Pico de Orizaba volcano. In addition, source determinations are provided for 65 artifacts from the Olmec site of San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán, Veracruz. The investigations presented here constitute an important basis for associating obsidian artifacts with specific sources, thereby making possible the reconstruction of Prehispanic trade system.

Este informe presenta los resultados de un conjunto de análisis de alta precisión realizados por medio de elementos-traza de 208 muestras geológicas procedentes de 25 yacimientos de obsidiana en Mesoamérica. Estos análisis, por medio de activación neutrónica midieron 28 elementos en cada muestra, siendo los primeros estudios químicos con este grado de detalle para muchos de los yacimientos. Análisis especialmente intensivos, se hicieron para seis yacimientos de la región del volcán Pico de Orizaba, en los estados de Veracruz y Puebla. Se identificaron también los yacimientos correspondientes a 65 artefactos de obsidiana procedentes de excavaciones en el sitio Olmeca de San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán, Veracruz. Nuestras investigaciones constituyen una base importante para la identificación de los yacimientos específicos de la obsidiana utilizados para los artefactos y mejorar así nuestro conocimiento acerca de sistemas prehispánicos de comercio.

Type
Articles
Information
Latin American Antiquity , Volume 2 , Issue 1 , March 1991 , pp. 69 - 91
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

References Cited

Andrews, A. P., Asaro, F., Michel, H. V., Stross, F. H., and Cervera Rivero, P. 1989 The Obsidian Trade at Isla Cerritos, Yucatan, Mexico. Journal of Field Archaeology 16:355–363.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Asaro, F., Michel, H. V., Sidrys, R., and Stross, F. 1978 High-Precision Chemical Characterization of Major Obsidian Sources in Guatemala. American Antiquity 43:436–443.Google Scholar
Aveleyra Arroyo de Anda, L., and Maldonado-Koerdell, M. 1952 Asociación de artefactos con mamut en el pleistoceno superior de la cuenca de México. Revista Mexicana de Estudios Antropológicos 13(1):3–30.Google Scholar
Boksenbaum, M. W., Tolstoy, P., Harbottle, G., Kimberlin, J., and Neivens, M. 1987 Obsidian Industries and Cultural Evolution in the Basin of Mexico Before 500 B.C. Journal of Field Archaeology 14:65–75.Google Scholar
Bowman, H. R., Asaro, F., and Perlman, I. 1973 Composition Variations in Obsidian Sources and the Archaeological Implications. Journal of Geology 81:312–327.Google Scholar
Breton, A. 1905 Some Obsidian Workings in Mexico. Proceedings of the XIII International Congress of Americanists: 265–268. New York.Google Scholar
Burger, R. L., and Asaro, F. 1978 Obsidian Distribution and Provenance in the Central Highlands and Coast of Peru during the Pre-ceramic Period. Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility 36:61–83. Berkeley.Google Scholar
Charlton, T. H. 1978 Teotihuacán, Tepeapulco, and Obsidian Exploitation. Science 200:1227–1236.Google Scholar
Charlton, T. H., and Spence, M. W. 1982 Obsidian Exploitation and Civilization in the Basin of Mexico. In Mining and Mining Techniques in Ancient Mesoamerica, edited by P. C. Weigand and G. Gwynne, pp. 7–86. Anthropology No. 6. State University of New York, Stony Brook.Google Scholar
Charlton, T. H., Grove, D. C., and Hopke, P. K. 1978 The Paredón, Mexico, Obsidian Source and Early Formative Exchange. Science 201:807–809.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Clark, J. E. 1979 A Specialized Obsidian Quarry at Otumba, Mexico: Implications for the Study of Mesoamerican Obsidian Technology and Trade. Lithic Technology 8:46–49.Google Scholar
Clark, J. E. 1981 Guatemalan Obsidian Sources and Quarries: Additional Notes. Journal of New World Archaeology 4(3): 1–15.Google Scholar
Cobean, R. H., Coe, M. D., Perry, E. A. Jr., Turekian, K. K., and Kharkar, D. P. 1971 Obsidian Trade at San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, Mexico. Science 174:666–671.Google Scholar
Coe, M. D., and Diehl, R. A. 1980 The Archaeology of San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan. In the Land of the Olmec, vol. 1. University of Texas Press, Austin.Google Scholar
Coe, M. D., and Flannery, K. V. 1964 The Precolumbian Obsidian Industry of El Chayal, Guatemala. American Antiquity 30:43–49.Google Scholar
Dreiss, M. L., and Brown, D. O. 1989 Obsidian Exchange Patterns in Belize. In Prehistoric Maya Economies of Belize, edited by P. McAnany and B. Isaac, pp. 57–90. JAI Press, Greenwich, Connecticut.Google Scholar
Elam, J. M., Glascock, M. D., and Finsten, L. 1990 The Implications of Obsidian Artifact Proveniences from Jalieza, Oaxaca, Mexico. In Proceedings of the 27th International Archaeometry Symposium, edited by E. Pernicka and G. A. Wagner, pp. 365–374. Birkhauser Verlag, Basel.Google Scholar
Ericson, J. E., and Kimberlin, J. 1977 Obsidian Sources, Chemical Characterization, and Hydration Rates in West Mexico. Archaeometry 19:157–166.Google Scholar
Ferriz, H. 1985 Caltonac, a Prehispanic Obsidian Mining Center in Eastern Mexico?: A Preliminary Report. Journal of Field Archaeology 12:363–370.Google Scholar
Fowler, W. R., Demarest, A. A., Michel, H. V., Asaro, F., and Stross, F. 1989 Sources of Obsidian from El Mirador, Guatemala: New Evidence on Preclassic Maya Interaction. American Anthropologist 91:158–168.Google Scholar
García-Bárcena, J. 1975 Las minas de obsidiana de la Sierra de las Navajas, Hgo., México. Adas del XLI Congreso Internacional de Americanistas 1:369–377. México, D.F.Google Scholar
Gaxiola, M., and Guevara, J. 1986 Un conjunto habitacional especializado en la talla de obsidiana en Huapalcalco, Hidalgo. In La obsidiana en mesoamérica, edited by M. Gaxiola and J. Clark, pp. 227–242. Colección Científlca, Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, Míxico, D.F.Google Scholar
Glascock, M. D., Elam, J. M., and Aoyama, K. 1990 Provenience Analysis of Obsidian Artifacts from the La Entrada Region, Honduras. In Proceedings of the 27th International Archaeometry Symposium, edited by E. Pernicka and G. A. Wagner, pp. 395–404. Birkhauser Verlag, Basel.Google Scholar
Glascock, M. D., Elam, J. M., and Cobean, R. H. 1988 Differentiation of Obsidian Sources in Mesoamerica. In Proceedings of the 26th International Archaeometry Symposium, edited by R. M. Farquhar, R. G. V. Hancock, and L. A. Pavlish, pp. 245–251. The Archaeometry Laboratory, University of Toronto, Toronto.Google Scholar
Glascock, M. D., Nabelek, P. I., Weinrich, D. D., and Coveney, R. M. Jr. 1986 Correcting for Uranium Fission in Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of High-Uranium Rocks. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry—Articles 99:121–131.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gordus, A. A., and Griffin, J. B. 1967 Neutron Activation Studies of the Source of Prehistoric Hopewellian Obsidian Implements from the Middle West. Science 158:528.Google Scholar
Graham, J. A., and Heizer, R. F. 1968 Notes on the Papalhuapa Site, Guatemala. Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility 5:101–125. Berkeley.Google Scholar
Graham, C. C., Glascock, M. D., Carni, J. J., Vogt, J. R., and Spalding, T. G. 1982 Determination of Elements in the National Bureau of Standards’ Geological Standard Reference Materials by Neutron Activation Analysis. Analytical Chemistry 54:1623–1627.Google Scholar
Hammond, N. 1972 Obsidian Trade Routes in the Mayan Area. Science 178:1092–1093.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Healan, D. M. 1986 Technological and Nontechnological Aspects of an Obsidian Workshop Excavated at Tula, Hidalgo. In Economic Aspects of Prehispanic Highland Mexico, edited by B. L. Isaac, pp. 133–152. JAI Press, Greenwich, Connecticut.Google Scholar
Healan, D. M. 1989 Prehispanic Settlement and Obsidian Procurement in the Zinapecuaro, Michoacan Source Area. Proposal to the National Science Foundation. Ms. on file, Department of Anthropology, Tulane University, New Orleans.Google Scholar
Healan, D. M., Kerley, J. M., and Bey, G. J. III 1983 Excavation and Preliminary Analysis of an Obsidian Workshop at Tula, Hidalgo, Mexico. Journal of Field Archaeology 10:127–145.Google Scholar
Healy, P. F., McKillop, H. I., and Walsh, B. 1984 Analysis of Obsidian from Moho Cay, Belize: New Evidence on Classic Maya Trade Routes. Science 225:414–417.Google Scholar
Heizer, R. F., Williams, H., and Graham, J. A. 1965 Notes on Mesoamerican Obsidians and Their Significance in Archaeological Studies. Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility 1:94–103. Berkeley.Google Scholar
Hester, T. R., Heizer, R. F., and Jack, R. N. 1971 Technology and Geologic Sources of Obsidian Artifacts from Cerro de Las Mesas, Veracruz, with Observations on Olmec Trade. Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility 13:133–141. Berkeley.Google Scholar
Hester, T. R., Jack, R. N., and Benfer, A. N. 1973 Trace Element Analysis of Obsidian from Michoacan. Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility 18:167–176. Berkeley.Google Scholar
Hester, T. R., Jack, R. N., and Heizer, R. F. 1971 The Obsidian of Tres Zapotes, Veracruz, Mexico. Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility 13:65–131. Berkeley.Google Scholar
Holmes, W. H. 1900 The Obsidian Mines of Hidalgo, Mexico. American Anthropologist (n.s.) 2:405–416.Google Scholar
Hurtado de Mendoza, L., and Jester, W. A. 1978 Obsidian Sources in Guatemala: A Regional Approach. American Antiquity 43:424–435.Google Scholar
Korotev, R. L. 1987 National Bureau of Standards Coal Flyash (SRM 1633a) As a Multielement Standard for Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry-Articles 110:159–177.Google Scholar
López Molina, D. 1982 Cantona: Una urbe prehispánica mesoamericana. Boletán de Antropologáa Americana 5:133–136. México.Google Scholar
McKillop, H., Jackson, L. J., Michel, H., Stress, F., and Asaro, F. 1988 Chemical Source Analysis of Maya Obsidian: New Perspectives from Wild Cane Cay, Belize. In Proceedings of the 26th International Archaeometry Symposium, edited by R. M. Farquhar, R. G. V. Hancock and L. A. Pavlish, pp. 239–244. The Archaeometry Laboratory, University of Toronto, Toronto.Google Scholar
Michels, J. W. 1975 El Chayal, Guatemala: A Chronological and Behavioral Reassessment. American Antiquity 40:103–106.Google Scholar
Moholy-Nagy, H., Asaro, F., and Stross, F. H. 1984 Tikal Obsidian: Sources and Typology. American Antiquity 49:104–117.Google Scholar
Neivens, M., Harbottle, G., and Kimberlin, J. 1986 Some Geochemical Characteristics of the Pachuca Obsidian Region: A Strategy for Interpreting Artifact Groups. In La obsidiana en mesoamérica, edited by M. Gaxiola and J. Clark, pp. 51–58. Colección Científica, Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, México, D.F.Google Scholar
Nelson, F. W. 1985 Summary of the Results of Analysis of Obsidian Artifacts from the Maya Lowlands. Scanning Electron Microscopy II:631–649.Google Scholar
Nelson, F. W. 1988 Trace Element Analysis of Obsidian Artifacts, Appendix 4. In The Lithic Artifacts of La Libertad, Chiapas, Mexico: An Economic Perspective, by J. E. Clark, pp. 271–276. Papers of the New World Archaeological Foundation No. 51. Provo.Google Scholar
Nelson, F. W., and Howard, D. S. 1986 Trace Element Analysis of Obsidian Artifacts from El Mirador, Guatemala. Notes of the New World Archaeological Foundation No. 3. Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.Google Scholar
Nelson, F. W., and Voorhies, B. 1980 Trace Element Analysis of Obsidian Artifacts from Three Shell Midden Sites in the Littoral Zone, Chiapas, Mexico. American Antiquity 45:540–550.Google Scholar
Nieto Calleja, R., and López Aguilar, F. 1990 Los contextos arqueológicos en yacimientos de obsidiana. In Nuevos enfoques en el estudio de la lítica, edited by M. D. Soto de Arechavaleta, pp. 178–214. Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México, México, D.F.Google Scholar
Pastrana, A. 1981 Proyecto “Yacimientos de Obsidiana en México”: Informe de la primera temporada. Revista Mexicana de Estudios Antropológicos 26(2):27–86.Google Scholar
Pastrana, A. 1986 El proceso de trabajo de la obsidiana de las minas de Pico de Orizaba. Boletín deAntropología Americana 13:133–145. Institute Panamericano de Geografía e Historia, México.Google Scholar
Pires-Ferreira, J. W. 1975 Formative Mesoamerican Exchange Networks with Special Reference to the Valley of Oaxaca. Memoirs No. 7. Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.Google Scholar
Ramirez, G. 1976 Chemical Characterization of Volcanic Glass and Its Application to Archaeological Studies. Unpublished Master’s thesis, Department of Geology, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana.Google Scholar
Renfrew, C. 1964 The Characterization of Obsidian and Its Application to the Mediterranean Region. Procedings of the Prehistoric Society 30:111–131.Google Scholar
Renfrew, C, Cann, J. R., and Dixon, J. E. 1965 Obsidian in the Aegean. Annual of the British School of Archaeology at Athens 60:225–251.Google Scholar
Rice, P. M., Michel, H. V., Asaro, F., and Stross, F. 1985 Provenience Analysis of Obsidians from the Central Peten Lakes Region, Guatemala. American Antiquity 50:591–604.Google Scholar
Sheets, P. 1975 A Reassessment of the Pre-Colombian Obsidian Industry of El Chayal, Guatemala. American Antiquity 40:98–102.Google Scholar
Sheets, P., Hirth, K., Lange, F., Stross, F., Asaro, F., and Michel, H. 1990 Obsidian Sources and Elemental Analyses of Artifacts in Southern Mesoamerica and the Northern Intermediate Area. American Antiquity 55:144–158.Google Scholar
Sidrys, R., Andresen, J., and Marcucci, D. 1976 Obsidian Sources in the Maya Area. Journal of New World Archaeolgy 1(5):1–13.Google Scholar
Siebe, C., and Verma, S. P. 1988 Major Element Geochemistry and Tectonic Setting of Las Derrumbadas Rhyolitic Domes, Puebla, Mexico. Chemie Der Erde 48:177–189.Google Scholar
Soto Alvarez, M. D. 1982 Análisis de la tecnología de producción del taller de obsidiana de Guachimontón, Teuchitlán, Jalisco. Unpublished tésis de Licenciatura, Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia, México, D.F.Google Scholar
Spence, M. W. 1981 Obsidian Production and State in Teotihuacán. American Antiquity 46:769–788.Google Scholar
Spence, M. W., and Parsons, J. R. 1972 Prehispanic Obsidian Exploitation in Central Mexico: A Preliminary Synthesis. In Miscellaneous Studies in Mexican Prehistory, pp. 1–43. Anthropological Papers No. 45. Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.Google Scholar
Stocker, T. L., and Cobean, R. H. 1984 Preliminary Report on the Obsidian Mines at Pico de Orizaba, Veracruz, In Prehistoric Quarries and Lithic Production, edited by J. E. Ericson and B. A. Purdy. pp. 83–95. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.Google Scholar
Stross, F. H., Asaro, F., Michel, H. V., and Gruhn, R. 1977 Sources of Some Obsidian Flakes from a Paleo-Indian Site in Guatemala. American Antiquity 42:114–118.Google Scholar
Stross, F. H., Hester, T. R., Heizer, R. F., and Jack, R. N. 1976 Chemical and Archaeological Studies of Mesoamerican Obsidian. In Advances in Obsidian Glass Studies, edited by R. E. Taylor, pp. 240–258. Noyes Press, Park Ridge, New Jersey.Google Scholar
Stross, F. H., Sheets, P., Asaro, F., and Michel, H. V. 1983 Precise Characterization of Guatemalan Obsidian Sources, and Source Determination of Artifacts from Quiriguá. American Antiquity 48:323–346.Google Scholar
Stress, F. H., Stevenson, D. P., Weaver, J. R., and Wyld, G. 1971 Analysis of American Obsidian by X-ray Fluorescence and Neutron Activation Analysis. In Science and Archaeology, edited by R. H. Brill, pp. 210–221. MIT Press, Cambridge.Google Scholar
Vail, G. 1988 The Archaeology of Coastal Belize. BAR International Series 463. British Archaeological Reports, Oxford.Google Scholar
Vogt, J. R., Graham, C. C., Glascock, M. D., and Cobean, R. H. 1982 A Study of Mesoamerican Obsidian Sources Using Activation Analysis. Journal of Radioanalytical Chemistry 69:271–289.Google Scholar
Weaver, J. R., and Stross, F. H. 1965 Analysis by X-ray Fluoresence of some American Obsidians. Contributions to University of California Archaeological Research Facility 1:89–103.Google Scholar
Weigand, P. C., and Spence, M. W. 1982 The Obsidian Mining Complex at La Joya, Jalisco. In Mining and Mining Techniques in Ancient Mesoamerica, edited by P. C. Weigand and G. Gwynne, pp. 175–188. Anthropology No. 6. State University of New York, Stony Brook.Google Scholar
Zeitlin, R. N. 1982 Toward a More Comprehensive Model of Interregional Commodity Distribution: Political Variables and Prehistoric Obsidian Procurement in Mesoamerica. American Antiquity 47:260–275.Google Scholar
Zeitlin, R. N., and Heimbuch, R. C. 1978 Trace Element Analysis and Archaeological Study of Obsidian Procurement in Precolumbian Mesoamerica. In Lithics and Subsistence—The Analysis of Stone Tool Use in Prehistoric Economics, edited by D. Davis, pp. 117–159. Publications in Anthropology No. 20. Vanderbilt University, Nashville.Google Scholar