The Usulután Ceramics of Central America: Using Izalco-Usulutám Wares to Understand Interregional Relationships and Local Social Complexity

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Materials in Movement in the Isthmo-Colombian Area" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Usulután wares are ubiquitous throughout Central America during the Late Preclassic period. These ceramics likely originated in eastern El Salvador and quickly spread to neighboring regions of western Honduras, forming the so-called Uapala Ceramic Sphere. Recent Investigations suggest that this Sphere covered a larger area than previously thought. It should extend as far as eastern Guatemala, northern Nicaragua, and northeastern Honduras. In also gained in complexity as sub-spheres were identified. Certain sub-spheres produced their own “Usulután-like” wares without much trade from other sub-spheres, suggesting that they were able to maintain stylistic and typological continuity through emulation. The Izalco-Usulután subtype is seen as the apex of Usulután wares. It required technological knowledge and specific qualities of raw materials to manufacture. This complexity lends itself as an indicator for high levels of interaction between communities and allows us to explore their sociopolitical relationships. Its typological focus on serving vessels also links it to feasting practices, which are central to public events and serve as mechanisms of social differentiation. Izalco-Usulután Ceramics are a great tool to further our understanding of the new regions added to the Uapala Ceramic Sphere, both on a local level and in relation to the “core” of the Sphere.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Materials in Movement in the Isthmo-Colombian Area   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 39329.0