A B S T R A C T This article uses evidence of regional-scale ceramic exchange to evaluate three proposed causal factors (Aztec imperial expansion, bottom-up demand, and elite competition) for the development of the market-based economy of... more
A B S T R A C T This article uses evidence of regional-scale ceramic exchange to evaluate three proposed causal factors (Aztec imperial expansion, bottom-up demand, and elite competition) for the development of the market-based economy of Postclassic Central Mexico. The factors used to evaluate these models may be applied more widely to other cases of market development. Using previously published datasets, I compare the quantities and diversities of non-local ceramics from sites in the Basin of Mexico, Morelos, and the Toluca Valley regions of central highland Mexico across the Middle (CE 1150–1350) and Late (CE 1350–1521) Postclassic periods. The results show that the highest proportion of trade occurs under Aztec rule, and is dominated by ceramics exported out of the Basin of Mexico. However, areas outside the Basin of Mexico have higher numbers of trading partners, and these ties are well developed during the Middle Postclassic. These results provide partial support for both bottom-up demand and elite competition as causal factors for market development. This article also demonstrates the continued utility of legacy data and emphasizes the need to make basic data sets available for new analyses.
This paper presents the results of the INAA of 28 geological clay samples from the Toluca Valley (Upper Lerma) in the State of Mexico, Mexico and the immediately adjacent areas to the north, west, and south. While preliminary , these... more
This paper presents the results of the INAA of 28 geological clay samples from the Toluca Valley (Upper Lerma) in the State of Mexico, Mexico and the immediately adjacent areas to the north, west, and south. While preliminary , these results demonstrate that there are internal elemental clines within the Toluca Valley, based on elevation (Na, K) and latitude (Cr), among other patterns. These samples also demonstrate that the underlying geology of the Toluca Valley can be systematically differentiated from that of the adjacent Basin of Mexico based on higher Ba and lower K concentrations. This study confirms the results of prior analyses of archaeological ceramics from the Toluca Valley, and provides new avenues for dividing the region into multiple sub-regional source areas in future archaeological analyses.
Using textile production in Postclassic Western Mesoamerica as a case study, this article explores how to differentiate low levels of craft production caused by household provisioning from low levels of craft production due to market... more
Using textile production in Postclassic Western Mesoamerica as a case study, this article explores how to differentiate low levels of craft production caused by household provisioning from low levels of craft production due to market reliance and regional specialization. I use a sample of 52 excavated site/phase components to establish baselines for the intensity of production and to evaluate whether participation in the market allowed craftspeople in some regions to underproduce textiles relative to local needs. Highland and lowland sites have comparable low frequencies of spindle whorls during the Early Postclassic, which I interpret as characteristic of household self-sufficiency. Whorl frequencies increase above this baseline earlier and to a higher degree in lowland sites than in highland sites. During the Late Postclassic, some regions may have formed pairs of over-and underproduction zones linked by the market. Because of changes in spinning technology, it is not possible to extrapolate the results of this study to earlier time periods. I then present data from Calixtlahuaca as an example of how macroregional data can be used to interpret craft production at a particular site. Textile production at Calixtlahuaca was generally low, but this was more likely a function of a strong dependence on maguey fiber, rather than underproduction caused by a reliance on the market.
We describe the development of a new chronology for the Postclassic site of Calixtlahuaca, Toluca, Mexico. We identify three ceramic phases using discriminant analysis of decorated and plainware types. These phases are consistent with... more
We describe the development of a new chronology for the Postclassic site of Calixtlahuaca, Toluca, Mexico. We identify three ceramic phases using discriminant analysis of decorated and plainware types. These phases are consistent with excavated stratigraphy, as well as a series of 54 radiocarbon dates. We then assign absolute dates to the phases using Bayesian analysis of radiocarbon dates and historical information on the date of site abandonment. The resulting chronology identifies three phases at the site: Dongu (A.D. 1130–1380), Ninupi (A.D. 1380–1450), and Yata (A.D. 1450–1530). We then discuss the local and regional implications of the chronology. More broadly, our results demonstrate the utility of using multiple, complementary methods for developing more precise chronologies.
Anaerobically fermented foliar fertilizers (FFF) are made of local plant or animal inputs. The impact of four different FFF formulations on the output of an intercropping system with fava bean, maize, and squash was assessed in the Toluca... more
Anaerobically fermented foliar fertilizers (FFF) are made of local plant or animal inputs. The impact of four different FFF formulations on the output of an intercropping system with fava bean, maize, and squash was assessed in the Toluca Valley, Central Mexico. A fertilizer made of cow manure and fermented agave cactus juice had an elevated N and P content and resulted in the highest maize output. A fertilizer made of cow manure and maize stalks contained most K and delivered the highest squash yield. A FFF made of cow manure and stinging nettle delivered the highest fava bean output. There are no ideal formulations of FFF, but their formulation depends on available resources and treated crops
