Obsidian trade was a fundamental element of the Mexican Empire (Aztec), indicates a study that analyzes artifacts of this material and suggests the existence of a sophisticated economy based not only on the conquest, but also in assets long -distance exchanges, even with rival states.
The study – which publishes PNAS, is part of the Templo Mayor Project and is headed by the University of Tulane (EU) – sheds new light on economic networks, rituals and political influence of the Mexican Empire.
The researchers analyzed 788 obsidian artifacts between 1375 and 1520 DC excavated in the Temple of Tenochtitlan, the core of the Mexican Empire located in the current Mexico City.
The obsidian, a volcanic glass used for ceremonial tools and objects, was one of the most important raw materials in the pre -Columbian era that, according to researchers, moved through ancient Mesoamerica.
Although the Aztec and Mexica terms are sometimes used as synonyms, they are not the same, since the latter would have separated from the former to establish and create Tenochtitlan.
The archaeologists discovered that although the Mexicans used mainly Obsidian Obsidian from the Sierra de Pachuca, they also bought it from at least seven other places, including regions beyond their political borders, such as Ucareo, in the Purépecha territory, west of Mexico.
“The Mexicans preferred the green obsidian, but the great diversity of used types, mainly in non-ritual artifacts, suggests that the tools of that material came from sources that reached the capital of the empire through the market,” said Diego Matadamas-Gomora, of the University of Tulane and the first signator of the article.
The analysis showed that almost 90 % of the obsidian artifacts of the sample were made with the one from the Sierra de Pachuca, especially ceremonial objects such as miniature weapons, jewelry and sculpture inlays.
A minor, but significant portion, came from places such as Otumba, Tulancingo, Ucaro and El Paraíso, some of which were outside the control of the Mexican Empire.
These materials were used more for the production of tools and the construction of construction, which indicates that they were available for the general population through local markets instead of being strictly controlled by the State, according to Diego Matadamas-Gomora, of the University of Tulane and one of the signatories of the article.
The study also analyzed the evolution of the use of obsidian over time, from the early stages of the city, around 1375 AD, until its fall in 1520 AD
During the early phases of the Empire, a greater diversity of Obsidian sources appeared, both in ritual and everyday objects.
Once the power of the Mexicans, around 1430 AD, the obsidian for ritual purposes went to proceed almost exclusively from the Sierra de Pachuca, which suggests a growing religious standardization and centralized control.
“This type of compositional analysis allows us to track how imperial expansion, political alliances and commercial networks evolved over time,” said Matadamas-Gomora.
The authors used X -ray fluorescence to analyze the geochemical composition of artifacts, which included ritual objects and fragments of prismatic leaves and LASCAS probably used for non -ritual activities.
With EFE information
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