An Analysis of Obsidian Consumption in the Postclassic Coatlan del Rio Valley

Summary

This poster presents a technological analysis of obsidian artifacts from two Aztec-period surface collections in the Coatlan del Rio Valley, located in what is now the modern state of Morelos, Mexico. The deposits are from residential terraces collected in 4 x 4 m units. Designs on ceramics collected with the lithics indicate primary occupation after 1400 CE. This study has two primary objectives: first, we technologically classify the artifacts in the collections; second, we evaluate whether there is any evidence to suggest that flaked stone tool production took place on the residential terraces. If blades were produced in these contexts, we would expect to find prismatic blade cores and discarded blades with production errors; if bifaces were produced, we would expect to find thinning debitage. Our analysis will allow us to infer whether the assemblage is indicative of household workshops or goods obtained through a market system. The results of this study will provide a new perspective on exchange during this time, such as the production stage in which lithic materials arrived in the valley. Using prior data from Yautepec, Cuexcomate, and Capilco communities, this research adds to comparative information available about Aztec period household-based obsidian consumption in Prehispanic Morelos.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

Keywords

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 22107