Instrumental neutron activation analysis of postclassic and historic-period pottery from Soconusco, Chiapas, Mexico [abstract]

Abstract only availableThe study involved utilizing Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) on 96 pottery samples from the post-classic Mayan (ca. 1000-1500 C.E.) and historic eras excavated from the Soconusco region of Southern Chiapas, Mexico. This was done in order to understand and map the long-distance trade networks of Mesoamerica via the unique chemical characteristics of pottery. The samples were irradiated according to MURR procedures and measured at specific intervals on a gamma-ray spectrometer to yield the relative concentration of elemental composition. The data obtained from the use of INAA has allowed for the creation of compositional groups according to the chemical signatures of the pottery. These groups were then compared with other compositional reference groups from throughout Mesoamerica accumulated within the MURR archives. The results indicate a complex and diverse trade relationship with post-classic pottery dominated by samples produced either locally or in the surrounding Chiapas, and historic pottery being imported across Mexico from Colonial New Spawn sites such as Puebla, Mexico City and perhaps as yet un-identified production centers. It is hoped that an increase in further comparative data will help in the locating of these additional pottery production centers. From these results, this study seeks to add greater depth to the discussion of inter-regional trade systems across Mesoamerica in both the post-classic and historic periods and enhance the conclusions drawn from those discussions

LA-ICP-MS Analysis of Quartzite from the Upper Gunnison Basin, Colorado

We report the results of LA-ICP-MS analysis of 402 quartzite samples representing 48 collection loci in the Upper Gunnison Basin (UGB), Colorado and determine the extent to which the sources can be geochemically discriminated from one another using this non-destructive technique. The ability to differentiate among the sources would open the door to provenance studies of the quartzite chipped-stone tools and debitage that constitute 95% or more of most of the 3000-plus prehistoric site assemblages documented in the UGB. Our samples represent prehistorically quarried and non-quarried quartzite sources, including outcrop (primary) and gravel (secondary) deposits. The results reveal spatial and chronological trends in quartzite elemental composition that can be exploited for provenance determinations of quartzite artifacts from UGB sites, albeit using an assemblage-based sourcing strategy that differs from the familiar approach of “matching” obsidian artifacts to their statistically likeliest geological source. We offer a preliminary version of a sourcing protocol for UGB quartzite

La producción de sal en el sitio Gallo encantado (GE1), Chiapas, México: análisis de la tecnología cerámica desde la arqueología evolutiva

This piece of research focuses on salt production during the Preclassic and late Postclassic periods in Gallo encantado (GE1). Using the theory of the evolution of ceramic traditions, a proposal was developed taking into account the stylistic and functional attributes portrayed by ceramics in order to define the differences between these two periods. The findings emerging from a direct comparison of frequency indicate that the attributes displayed by these ceramics characterize both periods and may have contributed to improve the salt production process. These functional improvements make it possible to understand the presence of that form of specialization in both the Preclassic and the Late Postclassic periods. Based on this interpretation, it can be inferred that the higher demand observed during the Preclassic period and the intensification of trade during the Late Postclassic period were the driving forces behind this specialization in ceramics.La investigación se enfoca en la producción de sal de los periodos Preclásico y Posclásico Tardío, en el sitio Gallo encantado (GE1). Al usar la teoría de la evolución cerámica se modeló una propuesta que toma en cuenta los atributos estilísticos y funcionales de la cerámica para determinar las diferencias entre los dos periodos. Los resultados de la comparación directa de frecuencias indican que los atributos de estas cerámicas estuvieron presentes en ambos periodos y habrían contribuido a mejorar el proceso de producción de sal. Estas mejoras funcionales permiten interpretar que la especialización estuvo presente tanto en el Preclásico como en el Posclásico Tardío. A partir de ello, se infiere que la mayor demanda observada durante el Preclásico y la intensificación del comercio en el periodo Posclásico Tardío fueron las fuerzas impulsoras de esta especialización cerámica

Identificando áreas de actividad a través del uso de GPR en la costa del Soconusco

ABSTRACT This article is focused on the importance of remote sensing techniques for archaeological studies, specifically LIDAR, and geophysics techniques, such as ground penetrating radar (GPR). The use of LIDAR has become popular in the last ten years and its use in forested places has been very effective despite the low visibility. In the case of GPR, it is generally used in those places where evidence of structure remains can be found. However, in the sites identified by the Project Costa del Soconusco there are no buildings with these characteristics, but their usefulness for the identification of areas of ceramic production have been decisive for the development of our study. These techniques have provided important data that has allowed us to know more about the settlements located in the eastern region of Soconusco.RESUMEN Este artículo se enfoca en la importancia de las técnicas para detección remota en los estudios arqueológicos, en específico el LIDAR, y de las técnicas geofísicas, como el georradar (GPR por sus siglas en inglés). El uso de LIDAR se ha popularizado en los últimos diez años y su empleo en lugares boscosos ha resultado muy eficaz a pesar de la poca visibilidad. En el caso del GPR generalmente se emplea en aquellos sitios donde se puede hallar evidencia de restos de estructuras. Aunque en los sitios identificados por el Proyecto Arqueológico Costa del Soconusco no se cuenta con edificaciones de dichas características, su utilidad para la identificación de áreas de producción cerámica ha sido determinante para el desarrollo de nuestro estudio. Esto nos ha permitido conocer más sobre los asentamientos ubicados en la región oriental del Soconusco