Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-xbtfd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T12:50:47.894Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A New Obsidian Source in the Highlands of Guatemala

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 October 2010

Geoffrey E. Braswell  and
Michael D. Glascock
Geoffrey E. Braswell
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
Michael D. Glascock
Affiliation:
Missouri University Research Reactor, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A new obsidian source has recently been discovered in the highlands of Guatemala, near the city of Sansare, El Progreso. Ten samples have been subjected to neutron activation analysis, and the results are presented. While ceramic affinities tie the Sansare area with Formative and Classic period Highland Maya sites, linguistic evidence suggests that Postclassic inhabitants of this region were Xinca speakers.

Resumen

Un yacimiento de obsidiana ha sido descubierto en las tierras altas de Guatemala, cerca de la ciudad de Sansare, departmento de El Progreso. Se ha realizado análisis por medio de activación de neutrones (NAA) de diez muestras, y los resultados se presentan aquí. Si bien hay afinidades cerámicas con el área Sansare y sitios formativos y clásicos de las tierras altas mayas, la evidencia lingüística sugiere que los habitantes postclásicos de la región eran hablantes de la lengua xinca.

Type
Articles
Information
Ancient Mesoamerica , Volume 3 , Issue 1 , Spring 1992 , pp. 47 - 49
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Andrews, Anthony P., Asaro, Frank, Michel, Helen, Stress, Fred H., and Rivero, Pura Cervera 1989 The Obsidian Trade at Isla Cerritos, Yucatán, Mexico. Journal of Field Archaeology 16:355–363.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Burger, Richard L., and Asaro, Frank 1979 Análisis de rasgos slgelficativos en la obsidiana de los Andes Centrales. Revista del Museo Nacional 43:281–325.Google Scholar
Campbell, Lyle R. 1972 A Note on the So-Called Alagüilac Language. International Journal of American Linguistics 38:203–207.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cobean, Robert H., Vogt, James R., Glascock, Michael D., and Stocker, Terrance L. 1991 High-Precision Trace-Element Characterization of Major Mesoamerican Obsidian Sources and Further Analyses of Artifacts from San Lorenzo Tenochtltlan, Mexico. Latin American Antiquity 2:69–91.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Glascock, Michael D., Elam, J.M., and Aoyama, Kazuo 1990 Provenance Analysis of Obsidian Artifacts from the La Entrada Region, Honduras. In Archaeometry ‘90, edited by Pernicka, E., and Wagner, G.A., pp. 395–404. Birkhauser Verlag, Basel.Google Scholar
Irwin-Williams, Cynthia 1979 Post-Pleistocene Archeology, 7000–2000 B.C. In Southwest, edited by Ortiz, Alfonso, pp. 31–42. Handbook of North American Indians, vol. 9. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
Hester, Thomas R., Jack, Robert N., and Helzer, Robert F. 1971 The Obsidian of Tres Zapotes, Veracruz, Mexico. Contributions of the University of California Archaeological Research Facility 13:65–131.Google Scholar
Jackson, Thomas L., and Love, Michael W. 1991 Blade Running: Middle Preclassic Obsidian Exchange and the Introduction of Prismatic Blades at La Bianca, Guatemala. Ancient Mesoamerica 2:47–59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leal Rodas, Marco A. 1988 Proyecto arqueologico Sansare: Temporada de campo noviembre 1986/enero 1987 (Informe). Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala.Google Scholar
Leal Rodas, Marco A., Gonzalez, Jose H. Paredes, and Flores, Patricia del Aguila 1988 Proyecto arqueológico Sansare: Temporada de campo noviembre 1987/enero 1988 (Informe). Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Guatemala.Google Scholar
Nelson, Fred W. 1985 Summary of the Results of Analysis of Obsidian Artifacts from the Maya Lowlands. Scanning Electron Microscopy 2:631–649.Google Scholar
Sidrys, Raymond, Andresen, John, and Marcucci, Derek 1976 Obsidian Sources in the Maya Area. Journal of New World Archaeology 1:1–13.Google Scholar
Stress, Fred H., Michels, Helen V., Asaro, Frank, and Grahe, R. 1977 Source of Some Obsidian Flakes from a Paleoindian Site in Guatemala. American Antiquity 42:114–118.CrossRefGoogle Scholar