Trace Elemental Source Characterization of La Mixtequilla Obsidian Artifacts, Veracruz, Mexico

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With National Science Foundation support, Dr. Barbara Stark will conduct sourcing analysis of ca. 174 obsidian artifacts recovered from archaeological contexts in the Veracruz region of Mexico. In the course of previous NSF funded research, Dr. Stark has examined the prehistory of this small region located on the Gulf coast of Mexico. In contrast to the central highlands region, Veracruz never developed into a large and powerful state but rather was characterized by smaller polities. Dr. Stark, therefore, looked at Veracruz as a marginal area and wished to discover how it interacted with and was affected by these more powerful states. Because obsidian (volcanic glass) makes excellent stone tools which hold a sharp edge, it was highly prized in antiquity and was widely traded. It is also of interest to archaeologists because its distribution in Middle America is highly localized and the number of sources small. Individual sources are chemically distinct, and through trace element analysis it is possible to match obsidian artifact with its geological source. On this basis it is possible to trace the movement of obsidian, to reconstruct economic patterns, and in turn to gain insight into the changing political landscape. In this project, the University of Missouri will conduct neutron activation analysis on a series of obsidian artifacts from a number of Veracruz sites. Through these, interactions with larger central Mexican states can be reconstructed. This research is important because it will increase our understanding of how the complex societies characteristic of many portions of the world develop and are maintained. It will also allow the maximum amount of information to be obtained from an already successful project.