essay
Obsidian blade manufacturing debris on terrace 37
ancient chalcatzingo • Austin • Published In 1987 • Pages: 321-328
By: Burton, Susan Sassé.
Abstract
Burton follows the analysis of chipped stone in general at the Olmec-influenced highland site of Chalcatzingo with this detailed description and analysis of what appears to be a waste deposit from an obsidian workshop at locale T-37, dating to the late Cantera phase (2600-2500 B.P.). Distributional analysis of the small deposit indicates rapid, if probably episodic deposition, and comparison with the lithic assemblage from the remainder of the site demonstrates this was definitely workshop debris. Detailed examination of core reduction techniques shows quite efficient reduction of prepared cores in blade production. The volume of debris could have been produced in a matter of months by part-time labor, with the output sufficient to supply Chalcatzingo and surrounding settlements with tools for up to a decade.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2000
- Region
- Middle America and the Caribbean
- Sub Region
- Central Mexico
- Document Type
- essay
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Archaeologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Leon G. Doyon ; 2007
- Field Date
- 1972-1976
- Coverage Date
- 2700 BP-2500 BP
- Coverage Place
- Chalcatzingo, Morelos State, Mexico
- Notes
- Susan S. Burton
- For bibliographical references see Grove: 1987 (Document 3)
- LCCN
- 85022673
- LCSH
- Olmecs