Obsidian Trade at San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, Mexico

Cobean, Robert H.; Coe, Michael D.; Perry, Edward A.; Turekian, Karl K.; Kharkar, D.P.

doi:10.1126/science.174.4010.666

Cited by 90 publications

(108 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…The two systems of knowledge largely covary in space and time during the late Early and Middle Formative. Blades gain popularity in the latter half of the Early Formative at the Olmec center of San Lorenzo (Cobean et al, 1971(Cobean et al, , 1991de León, 2008;Hirth et al, 2013). The first blades there were recovered during the Chicharras phase (1500-1400 B.C.)…”

Section: Early Formativementioning

confidence: 96%

The emergence of Early–Middle Formative exchange patterns in Mesoamerica: A view from Altica in the Teotihuacan Valley

Stoner

Nichols

Alex

et al. 2015

Journal of Anthropological Archaeology

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Section: Early Formativementioning

confidence: 96%

The emergence of Early–Middle Formative exchange patterns in Mesoamerica: A view from Altica in the Teotihuacan Valley

Stoner

Nichols

Alex

et al. 2015

Journal of Anthropological Archaeology

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“…Many obsidian sources in Mesoamerica have been successfully characterized in this manner (Cobean et al, 1971Stross et al, 1976;Glascock et al, 1988Glascock et al, , 1998Drennan et al, 1990;Cobean et al, 1991;Cruz, 1994). Obsidian mined from Las Navajas is well known for its green color, ranging from a translucent bottle green to green-black to a chatoyant shimmering goldengreen.…”

Section: Obsidian Geochemistry and Colormentioning

confidence: 97%

The Pachuca obsidian source, Hidalgo, Mexico: A geoarchaeological perspective

Ponomarenko

2003

Geoarchaeology

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Sierra Las Navajas, known to archaeologists as “the Pachuca obsidian source,” has been a major source of obsidian to Mesoamerican societies for more than 3000 years, producing a fine green obsidian unique in Middle America. It was the primary source of the obsidian that formed the economic backbone of the major sociopolitical centers of Classic period Teotihuacán, epi‐Classic Toltec Tula, and Aztec Tenochtitlán. In this paper, the obsidian of Sierra Las Navajas is discussed in the following contexts: (1) geologically, because the extraordinary quality of the Pachuca obsidian, its ease of extraction, and its distinctive color and chemistry are a direct result of its geologic emplacement; (2) locally, as the different mining localities within Sierra Las Navajas reflect the varying needs of the cultures working them; and (3) globally, as the obsidians of Las Navajas were used in concert with obsidians from other sources, and were traded great distances across Mesoamerica. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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“…The vast majority of archaeometric-based XRF studies have focused on compositional analyses of obsidian and metals (Carter, 1971;Cobean et al, 1971;Heizer et al, 1965;Shackley, 1988Shackley, , 1990Shackley, , 1991Shackley, , 1992Shackley, , 1995Shackley, , 1998Shackley, , 1994Shackley, , 2002aShackley et al, 1996;Shackley and Tucker, 2001) and to a lesser extent pottery (Adan-Bayewitz et al, 1999;Culbert and Schwalbe, 1987;Garcia-Heras et al, 1997;Hedges and Moorey, 1975;Kuhn, 1987;Poole and Finch, 1972;Trigger et al, 1980).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Comparison of XRF and PXRF for analysis of archaeological obsidian from southern Perú

Craig

Speakman

Popelka-Filcoff

et al. 2007

Journal of Archaeological Science

175

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Chemical sourcing is becoming an increasingly important component of archaeological investigation. Instruments used for elemental analysis generally must be operated in a controlled laboratory environment. Further, many methods require destruction of a small portion of the objects under investigation. These facts inhibit the application of chemical sourcing studies in a number of research contexts. Use of portable nondestructive instruments would resolve these issues. Sixty-eight obsidian artifacts from the site of Jiskairumoko, in southern Perú, were examined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (PXRF). Results were compared for consistency in terms of source determination and individual element concentrations. Both instruments determined that the same sixty-six artifacts derived from the Chivay obsidian source and both identified the same two artifacts that could not be assigned to source. Individual element comparisons showed significant differences, but these can be resolved through instrument cross calibration, and differences had no bearing on source identification. PXRF was found suitable for determining obsidian sources in southern Perú and for identifying specimens that require more sensitive analytical methods such as, instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Regular use of Chivay at Jiskairumoko suggests consistent trade relationships developed during the Archaic.

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Obsidian Trade at San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, Mexico

Cited by 90 publications

References 4 publications

The emergence of Early–Middle Formative exchange patterns in Mesoamerica: A view from Altica in the Teotihuacan Valley

The emergence of Early–Middle Formative exchange patterns in Mesoamerica: A view from Altica in the Teotihuacan Valley

The Pachuca obsidian source, Hidalgo, Mexico: A geoarchaeological perspective

Comparison of XRF and PXRF for analysis of archaeological obsidian from southern Perú

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