Technological and Material Characterization of Lapidary Artifacts from Tamtoc Archaeological Site, Mexico

Abstract

Tamtoc is a very important archaeological site in San Luis Potosi, in the Central region of Mexico. The pre-Hispanic Huastec culture developed in this site (900-1100 A.D.). During the archaeological excavations, a large amount of lithic artifacts were recovered from burials and offerings. Among them, pieces of semitransparent crystalline objects of color blue, green, yellow and white and green stone pieces were discovered in one of the most important ceremonial precinct, inside a water reservoir of the monument 32 “The Priestess”. The aim of this work is to measure the composition of the artifacts for provenance study and to establish the manufacturing technique and tools used to produce them. For material analysis, a combined analysis involving X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Raman spectroscopy was applied. The main elements as well as some traces can be measured by XRF while the mineral identification can be established by Raman. The results indicate that most of the pieces are calcite with traces of rare elements.On the other hand, experimental archaeology using a well established methodology of optical and electron microscopy examination of the manufacturing traces was applied. From this technological study the specific use of tools and materials were established for this site.

Hydrodynamic-Based Numerical Assessment of Flood Risk of Tamuín City, Mexico, by Tampaón River: A Forecast Considering Climate Change

“…Tamuín is a human settlement dating from the pre-Columbian time, where the Huastec civilisation flourished due to the welfare that the fertile lands provided by the waters of Tampaón River. In the south (Figure 1), the location of Tamtoc archaeological site can be observed surrounded by a portion of Tampaón River; it dates from 900 A.D., and is estimated to have fallen about 1100 A.D. [77]. Afterwards, the Huastec culture moved a bit to the northeast, and, by the 15th century, they founded Tamohi settlement at the right shore of the river (see Figure 1) [78,79].…”