Political Dynamics and the Organization of Chert Production in the Copán Valley

Summary

This study focuses on the social aspects of craft production among outlying populations of the greater Copán Valley of Honduras during the Late Classic to Early Postclassic transition (A.D. 800-1200). Lithic data from four valley sites including Rastrojón, Río Amarillo, Quebrada Piedras Negras, and Site 29 are compared to elucidate raw material procurement strategies and methods of chert reduction by local producers. Interesting differences emerge among the sites concerning changes in raw material procurement and technological strategies during a period of proposed Copán expansion and subsequent waning of political presence. A full sequence of production activity was more frequent at sites like Río Amarillo but not others—a trend that appears to increase during later occupations of the Early Postclassic and suggests intensified crafting practices at this locale. Thus, this study adds to a growing body of intra-regional investigations of the Copán hinterlands by highlighting varied strategies of craft production during times of pronounced political change.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Copan II: The Late Classic, Terminal Classic, and Postclassic Periods   •
• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

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Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 14604