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Formative Period Obsidian Exchange along the Pacific Coast of M esoamerica
Author(s) -
Ebert C. E.,
Dennison M.,
Hirth K. G.,
McClure S. B.,
Kennett D. J.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
archaeometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.716
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1475-4754
pISSN - 0003-813X
DOI - 10.1111/arcm.12095
Subject(s) - period (music) , formative assessment , archaeology , oceanography , pacific ocean , geography , geology , art , statistics , mathematics , aesthetics
Long‐distance networks for the transport of exotic goods and the beginnings of specialized craft production first appear in M esoamerica during the Formative Period. The results of portable X ‐ray fluorescence ( pXRF ) analysis of 456 obsidian artefacts imported to the Pacific coast site of L a Z anja ( G uerrero, M exico) indicate that long‐distance exchange of finished obsidian blades along the coast began during the Early Formative ( c .1400–1000 cal bc ) and remained constant into the Middle Formative Period ( c .800–550 cal bc ). Comparisons with sourcing studies from elsewhere in M esoamerica indicate the development of a major Pacific coast trade network during the Formative Period that linked coastal G uerrero to the central Mexican highlands and the Valley of Oaxaca. Weaker connections existed with Gulf coast obsidian trade networks that traversed the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. As the first obsidian sourcing study from coastal G uerrero, these data contribute to a greater understanding of the development of exchange networks in M esoamerica during the Formative Period.