essay

External contacts and trade at Cuello

cuello : an early maya community in belize • Cambridge [England] • Published In 1991 • Pages: 192-203

By: McSwain, Rebecca, Kosakowsky, Laura J., Hammond, Norman.

Abstract

This report examines the exogenous source of raw materials used in Cuello artifacts and considers possible trade patterns. Specifically the authors examine the sources of chert, ceramics, ground stone, obsidian, jade, and greenstone. A nearby site, Colha specialized in the manufacture of chert tools. Most ceramics were made locally, although foreign styles were imitated in the Late Middle and Late Preclassic periods. Some granite metate fragments were traced to the Maya Mountains and pumice from the Guatemala highlands. Obsidian came from three major sources all in southern Guatemala: San Martin Jilopeque (Rio Pixcaya) in the Middle Preclassic times, El Chayal in the Late Preclassic to Classic, and Ixtepeque in the Terminal Classic and Postclassic. Jade came from places as far away as Chichen Itza, Monte Alto on the Pacific Coast, and Costa Rica.

HRAF PubDate

2001

Region

Middle America and the Caribbean

Sub Region

Maya Area

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Archaeologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ; 2000

Field Date

1975-1987

Coverage Date

3200-1850 BP

Coverage Place

Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico

Notes

Rebecca McSwain, Laura J. Kosakowsky, and Norman Hammond

Chert trade / Rebecca McSwain -- Ceramic trade / Laura J. Kosakowsky -- Trade in ground stone / Norman Hammond -- Obsidian trade / Norman Hammond -- Jade and greenstone trade / Norman Hammond

For bibliographical references see document number 9: Anonymous

LCCN

90001858

LCSH

Mayas--Antiquities