Return to Aztlan: Aztec Pachuca Green Obsidian in Maya Sites at Mensabak, Chiapas, Mexico

Summary

This is an abstract from the "The Elemental Analysis Facility at the Field Museum: Celebrating 20 Years Serving the Archaeological Community " session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Archaeology at Mensabak, Chiapas, Mexico, recovered large amounts of green obsidian from mines at Pachuca, Hidalgo, which were managed by Mexica-Aztecs in Late Postclassic times (ca. 1300–1520 CE). Excavations in coeval Maya habitation sites at Mensabak recovered obsidian sourced with XRF equipment at the Field Museum. The analysis indicated that the percentage of Pachuca obsidian ranged between 35% and 50% at various Mensabak sites. Mesoamerican sites with Aztec influence, such as the cacao-growing Soconusco province in Chiapas, typically have high percentages of Pachuca obsidian (35%–65%). Yet, most Late Postclassic sites in Chiapas have only 0%–10% Pachuca obsidian, indicating that Mensabak was important to Aztec people. Mensabak likely drew Aztec traders and pilgrims, as well as Maya merchants interacting with them because of its Aztan-like island shrine. Importantly, Pachuca obsidian occurs in larger percentages at Mensabak sites with Maya elites, pointing to elite agency in exchange networks and their leadership in ritual and politics.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)   •
• The Elemental Analysis Facility at the Field Museum: Celebrating 20 Years Serving the Archaeological Community

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 38898.0