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High-Precision Trace-Element Characterization of Major Mesoamerican Obsidian Sources and Further Analyses of Artifacts from San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Robert H. Cobean ,
James R. Vogt ,
Michael D. Glascock  and
Terrance L. Stocker
Robert H. Cobean
Affiliation:
Subdirección de Estudios Arqueológicos, Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, Córdoba 45, México, D.F. 06700
James R. Vogt
Affiliation:
Research Reactor, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211
Michael D. Glascock
Affiliation:
Research Reactor, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211
Terrance L. Stocker
Affiliation:
Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies, Provo, UT 84602
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Abstract

High-precision trace-element analyses for 208 geological samples representing 25 mesoamerican obsidian sources were obtained using instrumental neutron-activation analysis to measure a total of 28 elements per sample. These are the first detailed chemical studies ever published for many of the source areas. Especially intensive analyses were made for six sources in the states of Veracruz and Puebla in Mexico from the region of Pico de Orizaba volcano. In addition, source determinations are provided for 65 artifacts from the Olmec site of San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán, Veracruz. The investigations presented here constitute an important basis for associating obsidian artifacts with specific sources, thereby making possible the reconstruction of Prehispanic trade system.

Este informe presenta los resultados de un conjunto de análisis de alta precisión realizados por medio de elementos-traza de 208 muestras geológicas procedentes de 25 yacimientos de obsidiana en Mesoamérica. Estos análisis, por medio de activación neutrónica midieron 28 elementos en cada muestra, siendo los primeros estudios químicos con este grado de detalle para muchos de los yacimientos. Análisis especialmente intensivos, se hicieron para seis yacimientos de la región del volcán Pico de Orizaba, en los estados de Veracruz y Puebla. Se identificaron también los yacimientos correspondientes a 65 artefactos de obsidiana procedentes de excavaciones en el sitio Olmeca de San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán, Veracruz. Nuestras investigaciones constituyen una base importante para la identificación de los yacimientos específicos de la obsidiana utilizados para los artefactos y mejorar así nuestro conocimiento acerca de sistemas prehispánicos de comercio.

Type
Articles
Information
Latin American Antiquity , Volume 2 , Issue 1 , March 1991 , pp. 69 - 91
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 1991

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