Ceramic Production in Epiclassic Central Mexico: Strategies for Assessing Regional Variation with INAA, Paste Recipes, and Stylistic Choices

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Ceramics and Archaeological Sciences" session, at the 88th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Epiclassic Central Mexico (ca. AD 550–850) is characterized by competing city-states in which ceramic distribution aligns with a series of neighboring solar market economies. INAA compositional study provides key evidence for assessing multiscalar patterns of production of diagnostic and decorated ceramic wares in the Basin of Mexico and Tula regions. And when combined with stylistic and technological attributes, a more nuanced understanding of potting community practices provides insights into strategies for participation in the production and consumption of shared ceramic suites, notably the Coyotlatelco red-on-buff traditions. In addition, ceramic wares that are locally significant can begin to signal more specific pathways of interaction among individual settlements, such as Xajay tripods and the Epiclassic composite silhouette bowls. This presentation highlights a selection of examples to demonstrate ways in which compositional analysis, stylistic variation, and technological choices are documented within and between Epiclassic ceramic wares in order to signal patterns of significant interpretive value. Datasets are derived from survey and excavation from sites and projects across Central Mexico as part of Crider’s ongoing research in the Basin of Mexico and Tula regions.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Ceramics and Archaeological Sciences   •
• Society for American Archaeology 88th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR (2023)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 35594.0