Ancient Engineering:

Transcription

1 Ancient Engineering: Selective Ceramic Processing in the Middle Balsas Region of Guerrero, Mexico Jennifer Meanwell Paris Monographs in American Archaeology 48 Access Archaeology Archaeopress Access Archaeology A

2 Archaeopress Publishing Ltd Gordon House 276 Banbury Road Oxford OX2 7ED ISBN ISBN (e-pdf) Archaeopress and J Meanwell 2017 Paris Monographs in American Archaeology 48 Series Editor: Eric Taladoire All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owners.

3 Contents List of Tables...v List of Figures...vii Chapter 1: Introduction: Problem Statement, Theoretical Underpinnings, and the Ecology of the Middle Balsas Region Problem Statement and Research Goals... 1 Problem Statement... 1 The Middle Balsas Region and Site Selection...3 Specific Research Goals... 3 Methods Overview Theoretical Underpinnings and Pottery Production Studies... 5 The Anthropology of Technology and the Materials Approach...5 Experimental Replication and Laboratory Analysis of Pottery...8 Ceramic Ecology and Ethnography of Pottery Production...9 Mesoamerican Pottery Production Studies Description of the Middle Balsas and its Ecology Conquest-Era Documentary Evidence of the Middle Balsas and its Resources Summary of Format Chapter 2: Previous Work and Contemporary Archaeological Projects in and Surrounding the Middle Balsas Region First Explorers Culture History Beyond Culture History in the Middle Balsas Region Peripheral Zones Coast of Guerrero The Mezcala Region of Eastern Guerrero...26 Michoacán and the Lower Balsas Region Conclusions Chapter 3: Methods Field Methods Mapping Surface Collection Excavation Methods Clay Collection Methods i

4 3.2 Ceramic Analysis Methods General Analysis and Data Recording Sample Selection Pottery for Thin Section Analysis...44 Sample Selection Radiocarbon Samples Laboratory Methods Thin Section Preparation Test Brick Manufacture and Firing Point Counting and Fabric Description Mechanical Testing Chapter 4: Field Results from the Sites of La Quesería, Itzímbaro, and Mexiquito Field Investigations at La Quesería, Guerrero Description of La Quesería Surface Collection Results at La Quesería...54 Excavations at Pit 1, La Quesería Excavations at Pit 2, La Quesería Excavations at Pit 3, La Quesería Excavations at Pit 4, La Quesería Field Investigations at Itzímbaro, Guerrero Description of Itzímbaro Surface Collection Results at Itzímbaro Excavations at Pit 1, Itzímbaro Excavations at Pit 2, Itzímbaro Excavations at Pit 3, Itzímbaro Excavations at Pit 4, Itzímbaro Field Investigations at Mexiquito, Guerrero Description of Mexiquito Surface Collection at Mexiquito Excavations at Pit 1, Mexiquito Excavations at Pit 2, Mexiquito Excavations at Pit 3, Mexiquito Architectural and Construction Details from the Middle Balsas Region Summary of Radiocarbon Results ii

5 Chapter 5: Results from Laboratory Analyses and Replication Studies Formal Types Wares and Decorative Techniques Chronological Patterns in Forms and Wares Petrographic Analysis Results Basic Middle Balsas Geology Temper and Other Considerations Regional Clay Fabric Descriptions from Petrographic Analysis Results from the Petrographic Analyses of Sherds from La Quesería Type A Type B/C Type E Other Fabrics Results from the Petrographic Analyses of Sherds from Itzímbaro Type A Types B/C and E Other Fabrics Results from the Petrographic Analyses of Sherds from Mexiquito Type A Type G Type H Other Fabrics Imported Sherds Summary of Petrographic Results Results of Test Briquette Analyses Possible Clay Sources for Fabrics Firing Temperature Correlations Mechanical Testing of Briquettes Results from Obsidian, Figurine, and Ground Stone Analyses Figurine Data Obsidian Data Ground Stone Data iii

6 Chapter 6: Patterns in Middle Balsas Pottery Production and their Interpretation Links between Vessel Shape and Fabric La Quesería Itzímbaro Mexiquito Chronologically Significant Production Choices in the Middle Balsas Regional Patterns and Differences Noted between Sites Overview of Middle Balsas Pottery Production Techniques Theoretical Implications and Comparisons with Other Regions Chapter 7: Conclusions Discussion of Key Results from the Middle Balsas Project Temporal and Spatial Continuity of Manufacturing Choices Craft Production and Social Organization Materials Constraints on Pottery Production Broader Implications for Mesoamerican Studies Directions for Future Research Conclusions Bibliography Appendix 1: Registry of Bags from La Quesería, Itzímbaro, and Mexiquito Appendix 2: Ceramic Analysis Appendix 3: Diameter and Thickness Measurements Appendix 4: Obsidian Analysis Appendix 5: Figurine Analysis Appendix 6: Raw Point Count Data Appendix 7: Strength Test Data iv

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