Rates of Obsidian Utilization In Central Mexico and on the South Gulf Coast

Santley, Robert S.; Kneebone, Ronald R.; Kerley, J.

doi:10.1080/01977261.1985.11754514

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…These scenarios are among those for which specific claims have been made concerning the Gulf lowlands, especially the Tuxtla Mountains. The most extreme argument sees Teotihuacan masterminding a monopolistic strategy for control of obsidian (Santley 1980(Santley , 1983(Santley , 1989Santley et al 1985), a contention not supported by a variety of evidence (Clark 1986;Drennan et al 1990;Stark etal. 1992).…”

Section: Economic Relationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Development of the Classic-Period Mixtequilla in South-Central Veracruz, Mexico

Stark

Curet

1994

Ancient Mesoam

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We examine ceramic and settlement-pattern changes in the Mixtequilla, Veracruz, during the Preclassic and Classic periods with special attention to the periods corresponding to the rise and decline of Teotihuacan. Data for the study derive from full-coverage survey of 40 square kilometers accompanied by systematic surface collections. Collections are analyzed using a suite of multivariate techniques to study changes in pottery that, in turn, provide a basis for the study of shifts in settlement patterns. Local developments and extralocal relationships are discussed with regard to political and economic spheres. Strong continuity through time is indicated for the region, without major disruptions. Teotihuacan influence is manifest more in stylistic domains than in imported items. Although an episode of indirect administration cannot be ruled out, social emulative relationships are more likely than administrative ones. Alternatives to commercial relations are noted.

show abstract

Section: Economic Relationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Development of the Classic-Period Mixtequilla in South-Central Veracruz, Mexico

Stark

Curet

1994

Ancient Mesoam

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Population in the Tuxtlas grew from 1,662 persons in the Early Classic to a high of 53,168 in the early Middle Classic, then dropped slightly to 53,005 in the late Middle Classic, and finally fell to 40,718 in the early Late Classic (Santley and Arnold 1996). Yearly rates of consumption also varied during the same phases: from .025 kg in the Early Classic to .027 kg in the early Middle Classic, then .070 kg in the late Middle Classic, and ultimately .035 kg in the early Late Classic (see Santley et al 1985 for a description of the methods of estimation involved in calculating these statistics). The resultant totals thus climb from a low of 41 kg in the Early Classic to 1,436 kg in the early Middle Classic and 3,710 kg in the late Middle Classic, followed by a decline to 1m425 kg in the early Late Classic.…”

mentioning

confidence: 97%

The Obsidian Trade to the Tuxtlas Region and Its Implications for the Prehistory of Southern Veracruz, Mexico

Santley

Arnold

2005

Ancient Mesoam

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Evidence from the Tuxtla Mountains in southern Veracruz suggests that Teotihuacan established a base at Matacapan, the region's top-ranking center, sometime during the Early Classic period. This development in Tuxtlas's prehistory was associated with the founding of Matacapan, a major shift in settlement pattern, and the presence of substantial amounts of Fine Buff, a lower fired variant of Fine Orange that resembles Copa ware, a common Middle Classic-period ceramic service ware at Teotihuacan. Teotihuacan's influence at Matacapan, as monitored ratios of candelero- and tripod support to rim sherds, increased markedly in the succeeding early Middle Classic period but declined in the late Middle Classic and early Late Classic periods. At the same time, Teotihuacan's influence extended well into the countryside, where it was present not only at other large sites, but also at small villages and hamlets. These developments were associated with changes in the amount and kind of obsidian traded to the Tuxtlas. The total volume of obsidian traded to the Tuxtlas in the Middle and Late Classic periods was huge: from 7.5 to 19.6 metric tons per year. Matacapan had preferred status as far as the consumption of green obsidian was concerned, and in general, pre-Hispanic settlements in the Tuxtlas consumed more of this material than neighboring areas such as La Mixtequilla and the Hueyapan region. When Teotihuacan declined in importance and its influence throughout Mesoamerica waned, a much smaller amount of obsidian—in particular, material from Pachuca—was traded to the Tuxtlas. This is precisely what we would expect if the Central Mexican city was no longer the conveyor of obsidian over long distances, and some other center—perhaps Cantona or El Tajin—replaced Teotihuacan as the primary distributor of obsidian to southern Veracruz.

show abstract

Prehispanic Exchange Relationships among Central Mexico, the Valley of Oaxaca, and the Gulf Coast of Mexico

Santley

Pool

1993

The American Southwest and Mesoamerica

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Rates of Obsidian Utilization In Central Mexico and on the South Gulf Coast

Cited by 6 publications

References 10 publications

The Development of the Classic-Period Mixtequilla in South-Central Veracruz, Mexico

The Development of the Classic-Period Mixtequilla in South-Central Veracruz, Mexico

The Obsidian Trade to the Tuxtlas Region and Its Implications for the Prehistory of Southern Veracruz, Mexico

Prehispanic Exchange Relationships among Central Mexico, the Valley of Oaxaca, and the Gulf Coast of Mexico

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About