Dissertation Research: Obsidian Economy in the Formative Tres Zapotes Hinterland

在Olivier de Montmollin博士的指导下，Charles Knight先生将为他的博士论文收集数据。他将在位于墨西哥墨西哥湾沿岸地区的帕洛德拉博的奥尔梅克遗址进行考古研究，以确定黑曜石是如何分布和控制的。黑曜石（火山玻璃），因为它有剃刀般锋利的边缘，在奥尔梅克等缺乏金属工具的民族中是一种非常珍贵的商品，因为它既可以切割也可以刮擦。作为一种重要的经济商品，黑曜石可以追溯到史前社会制度，通过了解它是如何分布和控制的，人们可以深入了解社会组织的许多方面。从这个角度来看，中美洲的黑曜石特别有趣，因为它只出现在非常有限的地方，通过微量元素分析，可以从一个地点追溯到黑曜石的来源。因此，人们不仅可以重建内部贸易网络，还可以重建外部贸易网络。Palo de Rabo表面散布着大量的黑曜石和其他文化材料。它也有土丘和广场，与基地的精英部分有关。奈特先生将首先进行一般地面侦察，以确定场地的界限，并制作示意图。然后将在植被覆盖的地方用铲式探头进行全覆盖调查。在此基础上，将进行包括“精英”和“平民”住宅在内的挖掘区域，收集黑曜石和其他文化材料。然后对黑曜石进行分析，以确定它是如何以及在哪里制造、分销和使用的。奥尔梅克人在中美洲发展了第一个复杂的社会，因此具有很大的考古价值。它们是重要的研究对象，不仅因为它们揭示了该地区的史前史，而且因为它们可以为导致社会复杂性发展的过程提供洞察力。研究人员希望了解伴随社会复杂性而来的社会分层是如何发生的，并提出了几个假设。最有希望的两个问题是对恐怖资源的获取和分配的控制，奈特先生希望利用帕洛阿尔托的数据来测试它们。由于黑曜石在当地无法获得，因此它是一种稀缺而宝贵的资源，是研究这种类型的理想资源。奈特先生收集的数据会引起许多考古学家的兴趣。这项研究将揭示中美洲史前史上一个重要而鲜为人知的时期，并将有助于培养一位有前途的年轻科学家。

Under the direction of Dr. Olivier de Montmollin, Mr. Charles Knight will collect data for his doctoral dissertation. He will conduct archaeological research at the Olmec site of Palo de Rabo, located in the Gulf Coast region of Mexico to determine how obsidian was distributed and controlled. Obsidian (volcanic glass), because it holds a razor sharp edge, was a highly prized commodity among peoples such as the Olmec who lacked metal tools since it was used for both cutting and scraping functions. As an important economic commodity, obsidian can be traced through a prehistoric social system and by understanding how it was distributed and controlled, one can gain insight into many aspects of social organization. Obsidian in Middle America is particularly interesting from this perspective because it occurs in only a very limited number of places and through trace element analysis it is possible to trace obsidian from a site back to its source. Thus one can reconstruct not only intrasite but also external trade networks. Palo de Rabo contains widespread surface scatters of obsidian and other cultural material. It also has mounds and plazas associated with elite parts of the site. Mr. Knight will first conduct a general ground reconnaissance to determine the limits of the site and to produce a schematic map. A full coverage survey will then be undertaken with shovel probes where vegetation obscures the surface. On this basis, areas for excavation, including both `elite` and `commoner` residences, will be conducted to collect obsidian and other cultural materials. The obsidian will then be analyzed to determine how and where it was manufactured, distributed and used. The Olmecs developed the first complex society in Middle America and therefore are of great archaeological interest. They are important subjects for study both for the light they shed on the prehistory of the region and for the insight they can provide into the processes which led to the development of social complexity. Researchers wish to understand how social stratification, which accompanies social complexity takes place and have developed several hypotheses. Two of the most promising concern control over the acquisition and distribution of scares resources and Mr. Knight wishes to uses the Palo de Rabo data to test them. Since obsidian in not locally available in the region, it is a scarce and valuable resource which is ideal for an investigation of this type. The data Mr. Knight collects will be of interest to many archaeologists. The research will shed light on an important and poorly understood period of Middle American prehistory and will assist in the training of a promising young scientist.