The Obsidian Craft at Xochicalco, Morelos

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With National Science Foundation support, Dr. Kenneth Hirth will continue his archaeological research at the site of Xochicalco which is located in Morelos, central Mexico. Work to date indicates that this large prehispanic urban center existed during both the Classic (250-700 AD) and Epiclassic (700-950 AD) periods. Data also shows that it was a center for the production of obsidian (volcanic glass) tools. Because of the sharp cutting edge it holds, obsidian was widely prized throughout prehistoric Middle America. Dr. Hirth will first conduct test excavations and then larger scale work to collect samples of obsidian as well as other cultural materials. The goal is to determine how this industry was organized and how it changed over time. Artifact remains will be collected using a two-stage macro-micro strategy which samples different dimensions of the artifact universe. Macro-debitage (remains), obtained in normal screening operations, will be combined with an analysis of micro-debitage recovered from fine mesh water screening. The scale and specialization of production will be examined through an analysis of the lithic technology and types of tools produced. Large states arose and declined in Central Mexico prior to the arrival of the Spanish and many archaeologists are trying to understand the processes involved. In recent years it has become clear that control over trade and the access to scarce resources played a major role. During the Classic period the polity centered around Teotihuacan dominated Central Mexico. After ca 700 AD, this state declined and power shifted to a number of smaller regional centers such as Xochicalo. Therefore, it is quite interesting to examine what changes in the production and control of obsidian occurred over this transitional period. Dr. Hirth will study not only how Xochicalo related to the larger world of Middle America but also how obsidian production was organized within the site itself. Did production tend to be egalitarian or was it tightly controlled in state run workshops. Excavation and analysis of recovered remains will help to address these questions. This research is important for several reasons. It will provide data of interest to a large group of archaeologists. It will also increase our understanding of how complex societies emerge and are maintained.