Marc D Marino | University of Arkansas (original) (raw)

Papers by Marc D Marino

Research paper thumbnail of Comparing three sample preparation techniques for portable X-ray fluorescence: A case study of Coarse Orange ceramic jars, Veracruz, Mexico

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2022

Applications of energy dispersive portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF; Olympus Vanta M Series VMR) ... more Applications of energy dispersive portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF; Olympus Vanta M Series VMR) for the chemical analysis of ceramic fabrics are gaining importance for archaeology. In addition to the broad accessibility of the instruments and their ability to gain first-look chemical data without destroying archaeological samples, the ability to bring the instrument to the field may be the only option for researchers working internationally. Through a systematic evaluation of quality control measures applied to multiple standard and in-house reference materials, we conclude that the pXRF employed in this study can precisely and accurately quantify many elements, some of which are not reported or possess high detection limits as measured by other instruments, including neutron activation analysis (NAA). We also demonstrate that analyzing ceramics in different states – intact sherds, homogenized powders, or pressed planchets – produce internally consistent results within categories but yield different results across sample preparation techniques. Finally, we re-analyze an archaeological sample of Coarse Orange jars from the Classic period Tuxtla Mountains, Veracruz, Mexico previously studied through petrography and NAA (Stoner, 2013; Stoner et al., 2008). Analyses of samples processed into homogenized powders yield the most accurate and precise results, rivaling the analytical capabilities of NAA for characterizing this particular sample of ceramics. Analysis of intact sherds and pressed planchets yields sufficient results to reproduce the main compositional groups identified through prior NAA, but loses some detail necessary to separate subgroups.

Research paper thumbnail of Exchange Systems in Late Postclassic Mesoamerica: Comparing Open and Restricted Markets at Tlaxcallan, Mexico, and Santa Rita Corozal, Belize

Latin American Antiquity, 2020

In premodern economic systems where the social embedding of exchange provided actors with the abi... more In premodern economic systems where the social embedding of exchange provided actors with the ability to control or monopolize trade, including the goods that enter and leave a marketplace, “restricted markets” formed. These markets produced external revenues that could be used to achieve political goals. Conversely, commercialized systems required investment in public goods that incentivize the development of market cooperation and “open markets,” where buyers and sellers from across social sectors and diverse communities could engage in exchange as economic equals within marketplaces. In this article, we compare market development at the Late Postclassic sites of Chetumal, Belize, and Tlaxcallan, Mexico. We identified a restricted market at Chetumal, using the distribution of exotic goods, particularly militarily and ritually charged obsidian projectile points; in contrast, an open market was built at Tlaxcallan. Collective action theory provides a useful framework to understand t...

Research paper thumbnail of Paleoindian ochre mines in the submerged caves of the Yucatán Peninsula, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Science Advances, 2020

Investigations in the now-submerged cave systems on the Yucatán Peninsula continue to yield evide... more Investigations in the now-submerged cave systems on the Yucatán Peninsula continue to yield evidence for human presence during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. Skeletal remains are scattered throughout the caves of Quintana Roo, most representing individuals who died in situ. The reasons why they explored these underground environments have remained unclear. Here, we announce the discovery of the first subterranean ochre mine of Paleoindian age found in the Americas, offering compelling evidence for mining in three cave systems on the eastern Yucatán over a ~2000-year period between ~12 and 10 ka. The cave passages exhibit preserved evidence for ochre extraction pits, speleothem digging tools, shattered and piled flowstone debris, cairn navigational markers, and hearths yielding charcoal from highly resinous wood species. The sophistication and extent of the activities demonstrate a readiness to venture into the dark zones of the caves to prospect and collect what was evidently ...

Research paper thumbnail of Wealth inequality, social stratification, and the built environment in Late Prehispanic Highland Mexico: A comparative analysis with special emphasis on Tlaxcallan

Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, 2020

Abstract Beginning in the last century, archaeologists became interested in the development of so... more Abstract Beginning in the last century, archaeologists became interested in the development of social complexity. Since that time, the basic concept of states and complex societies has been defined by rigid social stratification, extreme wealth inequality, and political centralization. However, recently, landscape approaches, household archaeology, city-states, and “alternative pathways to complexity” have begun to make inroads in developing a more robust approach to premodern states. Specifically, anthropological theory has advanced significantly with the incorporation of Collective Action, yet theoretical and empirically based studies of wealth inequality, social stratification, and the built environment in the archaeological literature are still limited. Therefore, in this paper, we seek to test the traditional definition of the state and complex societies using cases from Middle-Late Postclassic Highland Mexico (Central Mexico and Oaxaca), especially the case of Tlaxcallan. Using a comparative approach, we find that a stark division between public and private architecture and a compression of wealth inequality and social stratification, especially the absence of palaces, and a comparatively high degree of political centralization, marked the Tlaxcaltecan state. Accordingly, we conclude that theoretical approaches in archaeology must incorporate Collective Action Theory or other comparable approaches to effectively deal with real empirical variation in the past.

Research paper thumbnail of Postclassic Tool Production at Santa Rita Corozal

University Press of Florida, 2017

This chapter presents a case study of a previously excavated lithic sample from Santa Rita Coroza... more This chapter presents a case study of a previously excavated lithic sample from Santa Rita Corozal, considering stone tool production at two structures, 216 and 218. Both exhibit a higher number of Postclassic chert and chalcedony lithic artifacts than other contemporary structures excavated at the site. The authors use debitage analysis to reveal how two households crafted formal tools locally and visual sourcing analysis to better understand how these tools articulated with broader traditions of lithic craft production in a regional exchange network. In contrast to the commercial level of production exhibited at Colha, Belize, these households used a variety of source materials and produced a less standardized tool kit on a much smaller scale.

Research paper thumbnail of Producer-Consumer' Revisited: A Postclassic View of Stone Tool Production from Santa Rita Corozal, Belize

Research paper thumbnail of Chert Tool Production and Exchange at Two Late Postclassic Coastal Maya Households

Research paper thumbnail of Producer-Consumer' Revisted: A Postclassic View of Stone Tool Production From Santa Rita Corozal, Belize

Research paper thumbnail of Florida Marine Tracks: Mapping Floridas Waterways

Utilizing Global Mapper, a product developed by Blue Marble Geographics, in conjunction with open... more Utilizing Global Mapper, a product developed by Blue Marble Geographics, in conjunction with open source imagery and bathymetric data obtained from several agencies, Florida Marine Tracks (FMT) has compiled an electronic navigation product with complete coverage of all Florida’s coasts and waterways, including the Keys and the Florida Bay regions. Additionally, tracks and routes through marked and unmarked channels provide ground tested navigation paths in environmentally sensitive areas, including where prop scarring frequently occurs. FMT, a cartographic development company which specializes in marine navigation products, has partnered with Navico Inc., to incorporate the FMT map on an encoded SDHC chip which can be used in Navico chartplotters. In fact, the FMT project of mapping Florida’s coastal and inland waterways has proven to be the largest mapping project of any of Navico’s partners. The use of Global Mapper throughout this project has provided several key advantages over other GIS programs, making it ideal for analysis involving navigational and cartographic development. In fact, Global Mapper was specifically chosen because of its friendly graphical user interface. Several conversion options, such as the raster clipping options using the digitizer tools, and projection options found in the configuration window, allow for user friendly raster conversions and exports. Additionally, converting imagery file formats to allow for transparency of pixel values can also be easily accomplished using the raster options found in the overlay control center. Lastly, control of exports using bounding boxes, pixel widths, and file formats are streamlined and convenient when working with large datasets of aerial photography and satellite imagery. The use of this powerful software, in conjunction with the latest dataset of aerial photography and bathymetric data, has resulted in the production of a marine navigation software package which incorporates visual aids, fluctuating tidal data, and other statistics into a single SDHC chip which can be used to ensure a safe boating experience throughout all of Florida’s coastlines.

Research paper thumbnail of Exchange Systems in Late Postclassic Mesoamerica: Comparing Open and Restricted Markets at Tlaxcallan, Mexico, and Santa Rita Corozal, Belize

Latin American Antiquity, 2020

In premodern economic systems where the social embedding of exchange provided actors with the abi... more In premodern economic systems where the social embedding of exchange provided actors with the ability to control or monopolize trade, including the goods that enter and leave a marketplace, "restricted markets" formed. These markets produced external revenues that could be used to achieve political goals. Conversely, commercialized systems required investment in public goods that incentivize the development of market cooperation and "open markets," where buyers and sellers from across social sectors and diverse communities could engage in exchange as economic equals within marketplaces. In this article, we compare market development at the Late Postclassic sites of Chetumal, Belize, and Tlaxcallan, Mexico. We identified a restricted market at Chetumal, using the distribution of exotic goods, particularly militarily and ritually charged obsidian projectile points; in contrast, an open market was built at Tlaxcallan. Collective action theory provides a useful frame...

Research paper thumbnail of Postclassic Tool Production at Santa Rita Corozal: Implications for Domestic Craft Production and Regional Exchange in Flaked Stone

Research paper thumbnail of Chert Tool Production and Exchange at Two Late Postclassic Coastal Maya Households

Chert tool production and exchange has long been studied for the Maya Preclassic to Terminal Clas... more Chert tool production and exchange has long been studied for the Maya Preclassic to Terminal Classic Periods of Northern Belize (1000 B.C.-A.D. 950). It is increasingly clear that lithic systems of production and exchange were an integral part of the economic environment for this region, yet lithic research pertaining to the Maya Postclassic Period (A.D. 950-1530) is not well represented in the general literature. A recent examination of 110 chert, chalcedony, and obsidian small side-notched projectile points and point preforms, as well as 2,163 pieces of associated production debitage from two Late Postclassic households at Santa Rita Corozal, Belize, has yielded the identification of two lithic craft production areas. Examination of the complete lithic collection from these residences, as well as an additional 176 projectile points located throughout the site, reveals the need for new models of lithic production and exchange for this region during the Postclassic Period.

Conference Presentations by Marc D Marino

Research paper thumbnail of Socioeconomics of Craft Production in the Copán Hinterland: The Chert Industry of Río Amarillo, Honduras

This study presents new data from the site of Río Amarillo, Honduras focusing on the social aspec... more This study presents new data from the site of Río Amarillo, Honduras focusing on the social aspects of craft production in the political sphere of Copán, Honduras. Between 2011 and 2014, excavations led by the Proyecto Arqueológico Río Amarillo Copán (PARAC) have recovered large quantities of microcrystalline silicate artifacts, including nodules, debitage, and finished tools. The shift from the Late Classic (A.D. 600-900) to Early Postclassic period (A.D. 1000-1250) is marked by changes in the organization of production, and the diversification of chert procurement patterns at Río Amarillo. Data suggest that residents partially relied on a local procurement network that included settlements near the confluence of the nearby Río Piedras Negras and Río Blanco. In addition, two unknown microcrystalline silicate sources were exploited late in the site’s occupation, possibly from more distant areas beyond the eastern Rio Amarillo pocket. Technologically, there are significant differences in manufacturing waste, signifying shifts in craft production during the two time periods. It is suggested that political changes relate to shifts in local systems of procurement, and that production activities may have transitioned with the decline of Copán’s power.

Research paper thumbnail of Florida Marine Tracks-Mapping Florida's Waterways

Utilizing Global Mapper, a product developed by Blue Marble Geographics, in conjunction with open... more Utilizing Global Mapper, a product developed by Blue Marble Geographics, in conjunction with open source imagery and bathymetric data obtained from several agencies, Florida Marine Tracks (FMT) has compiled an electronic navigation product with complete coverage of all Florida’s coasts and waterways, including the Keys and the Florida Bay regions. Additionally, tracks and routes through marked and unmarked channels provide ground tested navigation paths in environmentally sensitive areas, including where prop scarring frequently occurs. FMT, a cartographic development company which specializes in marine navigation products, has partnered with Navico Inc., to incorporate the FMT map on an encoded SDHC chip which can be used in Navico chartplotters. In fact, the FMT project of mapping Florida’s coastal and inland waterways has proven to be the largest mapping project of any of Navico’s partners.
The use of Global Mapper throughout this project has provided several key advantages over other GIS programs, making it ideal for analysis involving navigational and cartographic development. In fact, Global Mapper was specifically chosen because of its friendly graphical user interface. Several conversion options, such as the raster clipping options using the digitizer tools, and projection options found in the configuration window, allow for user friendly raster conversions and exports. Additionally, converting imagery file formats to allow for transparency of pixel values can also be easily accomplished using the raster options found in the overlay control center. Lastly, control of exports using bounding boxes, pixel widths, and file formats are streamlined and convenient when working with large datasets of aerial photography and satellite imagery. The use of this powerful software, in conjunction with the latest dataset of aerial photography and bathymetric data, has resulted in the production of a marine navigation software package which incorporates visual aids, fluctuating tidal data, and other statistics into a single SDHC chip which can be used to ensure a safe boating experience throughout all of Florida’s coastlines.

Research paper thumbnail of 'Producer-Consumer' Revisted: A Postclassic View of Stone Tool Production From Santa Rita Corozal, Belize

The “producter-consumer” model of lithic tools between sites outside of the Belizean Chert Bearin... more The “producter-consumer” model of lithic tools between sites outside of the Belizean Chert Bearing Zone and the site of Colha has been well established for the Maya Preclassic to Terminal Classic Periods (C.A. 1000 B.C. - A.D. 800). Unfortunately, published lithic research on this region during the Postclassic Period (A.D. 900-1539) is scarce, and it is increasingly clear that producer-consumer models may be inappropriate for this time. A recent examination of 71 chert and chalcedony small side-notched points, point preforms, and 1,067 pieces of associated manufacturing debitage from one household residence at the Postclassic site of Santa Rita Corozal, Belize, reveals the presence of cortical flakes, prepared cores, flake blanks, and bifacial thinning flakes. Such information does not coincide with earlier producer-consumer models of Northern Belize that emphasize production occurring outside of site centers. The analysis of the complete Postclassic lithic assemblage from Santa Rita Corozal, including an additional 151 projectile points and associated reduction debris located throughout the site, demonstrates the need to generate new models of stone tool production for the Postclassic Period at this Northern Belizean locale.

Conference Papers by Marc D Marino

Research paper thumbnail of The Organization of Prismatic Blade Production at Late Postclassic Tlaxcallan, Central Mexico

Systems of craft production and exchange in Mesoamerica are often correlated with the socio-polit... more Systems of craft production and exchange in Mesoamerica are often correlated with the socio-political circumstances in which they formed. In this paper we compare access to lithic items including prismatic blades, unidirectional blade cores, blade production debitage, and projectile points among households at Late Postclassic Tlaxcallan, located in Central Mexico. Specifically, we investigate the organization of prismatic blade production and test if elites incorporated this industry into their political economy, as has been noted at some pre-Hispanic cities in Central Mexico and further abroad. We specifically examine what households produced these goods, and compare access to the finished products, including the accessibility of non-local raw materials used in their production. Two data sets are examined: the first is a collection of prismatic blades and blade cores recovered from five households and one public context. Access to projectile points are then compared among these contexts to further test the degree of market exchange in the distribution of lithic goods, as has been suggested by ethnohistoric accounts.

Research paper thumbnail of Commercialization, Consumption, and Political-Economic Strategies in Late Postclassic Mesoamerica: A Comparative Study of Access to Projectile Points at Tlaxcallan and Santa Rita Corozal

Over the course of the Postclassic Period (A.D. 950 – 1521), commercialization was on the rise in... more Over the course of the Postclassic Period (A.D. 950 – 1521), commercialization was on the rise in ancient Mesoamerica, reaching its apex at the time of contact with Europeans. Extant information indicates that both interregional trade and regional market integration increased during this time, especially during the Late Postclassic (A.D. 1250/1300 – 1521). Yet, researchers have little comparative published information on household consumption from well-excavated residential contexts for this period. In this paper we compare access to formal lithic tools (projectile points) at two Late Postclassic sites with differing governing structures: Tlaxcallan (located in Central Mexico), and Santa Rita Corozal (located in coastal Belize). Specifically, we investigate the degree to which political-economic factors affected production and access to projectile points, including the accessibility of non-local raw materials used in their production, and their distribution among various households. We test whether households with differing social statuses monopolized or controlled finished points, and if the raw materials used to produce them varied among households on the basis of status. Finally, we consider the degree to which these patterns correlate with differing political-economic strategies employed by governing officials at the study sites.

Research paper thumbnail of Chipped Tool Production and Exchange in Late Postclassic Tlaxcallan: Integrating Specialized Production with the Political Economy of a Collective State

Archaeological and ethnohistoric research has demonstrated that political-economic strategies in ... more Archaeological and ethnohistoric research has demonstrated that political-economic strategies in Late Postclassic (AD 1250 – 1521) Tlaxcallan were highly collective. At the same time, recent cross-cultural research indicates that collective political structures are strongly correlated with internal revenue sources, or taxes and corvée paid by free citizens. Thus, we hypothesize that Tlaxcaltecan political architects established internal revenue strategies to fund state activities. If this were the case, we would expect that goods were distributed through either large-scale redistribution or through open and competitive markets (as commodities). In this paper, we test this hypothesis by drawing on a dataset of roughly 11,000 lithic artifacts yielded by excavations in two Late Postclassic residential terraces located within the city of Tlaxcallan. These data demonstrate that imported obsidian was widely used as a bulk economic resource. Thus, although obsidian was difficult to acquire due to Tlaxcallan's antagonistic relationship with the Aztec, the distribution of obsidian was not controlled for political gain (e.g., distributed as gifts through embedded exchange systems). Thus, this paper contributes to broader studies of economy in Central Mexico by illustrating alternative paths to production and exchange available to consumers.

Research paper thumbnail of Political Dynamics and the Organization of Chert Production in the Copán Valley. (2017) Meissner, Nathan J., Marc Marino, Emmalea Gomberg.

Books by Marc D Marino

Research paper thumbnail of Dissembedded Networks of Interaction Between Teotihuacan and the Gulf Lowlands- By Wesley D. Stoner and Marc D. Marino

Teotihuacan, The World Beyond the City (Dumbarton Oaks Pre-Columbian Symposia and Colloquia), 2020

The role of Teotihuacan in the Gulf Lowlands has escaped unitary models of explanation, largely b... more The role of Teotihuacan in the Gulf Lowlands has escaped unitary models of explanation, largely because of the multiplicity of differently motivated agents guiding interactions. Materials, goods, and ideas traded between regions were disembedded in the sense that they were lifted out of their original context and transplanted into new symbolic, political, and economic systems (Giddens 1991; Peck 2013). The form, meaning, and use of the original object potentially changed in its new context, as human groups continuously monitored and adapted incoming signals against “tradition” within their local systems. This process resulted in variable outcomes across space depending on the specific circumstances. We suggest that seeking a unitary explanation for Teotihuacan’s role in Mesoamerica ultimately ignores the opportunistic ways in which groups on both sides viewed and applied exotic inputs to their own local settings. Here, we highlight the variability of interaction in the Gulf Lowlands so that a new, more flexible framework of analysis might emerge.

Research paper thumbnail of Comparing three sample preparation techniques for portable X-ray fluorescence: A case study of Coarse Orange ceramic jars, Veracruz, Mexico

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2022

Applications of energy dispersive portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF; Olympus Vanta M Series VMR) ... more Applications of energy dispersive portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF; Olympus Vanta M Series VMR) for the chemical analysis of ceramic fabrics are gaining importance for archaeology. In addition to the broad accessibility of the instruments and their ability to gain first-look chemical data without destroying archaeological samples, the ability to bring the instrument to the field may be the only option for researchers working internationally. Through a systematic evaluation of quality control measures applied to multiple standard and in-house reference materials, we conclude that the pXRF employed in this study can precisely and accurately quantify many elements, some of which are not reported or possess high detection limits as measured by other instruments, including neutron activation analysis (NAA). We also demonstrate that analyzing ceramics in different states – intact sherds, homogenized powders, or pressed planchets – produce internally consistent results within categories but yield different results across sample preparation techniques. Finally, we re-analyze an archaeological sample of Coarse Orange jars from the Classic period Tuxtla Mountains, Veracruz, Mexico previously studied through petrography and NAA (Stoner, 2013; Stoner et al., 2008). Analyses of samples processed into homogenized powders yield the most accurate and precise results, rivaling the analytical capabilities of NAA for characterizing this particular sample of ceramics. Analysis of intact sherds and pressed planchets yields sufficient results to reproduce the main compositional groups identified through prior NAA, but loses some detail necessary to separate subgroups.

Research paper thumbnail of Exchange Systems in Late Postclassic Mesoamerica: Comparing Open and Restricted Markets at Tlaxcallan, Mexico, and Santa Rita Corozal, Belize

Latin American Antiquity, 2020

In premodern economic systems where the social embedding of exchange provided actors with the abi... more In premodern economic systems where the social embedding of exchange provided actors with the ability to control or monopolize trade, including the goods that enter and leave a marketplace, “restricted markets” formed. These markets produced external revenues that could be used to achieve political goals. Conversely, commercialized systems required investment in public goods that incentivize the development of market cooperation and “open markets,” where buyers and sellers from across social sectors and diverse communities could engage in exchange as economic equals within marketplaces. In this article, we compare market development at the Late Postclassic sites of Chetumal, Belize, and Tlaxcallan, Mexico. We identified a restricted market at Chetumal, using the distribution of exotic goods, particularly militarily and ritually charged obsidian projectile points; in contrast, an open market was built at Tlaxcallan. Collective action theory provides a useful framework to understand t...

Research paper thumbnail of Paleoindian ochre mines in the submerged caves of the Yucatán Peninsula, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Science Advances, 2020

Investigations in the now-submerged cave systems on the Yucatán Peninsula continue to yield evide... more Investigations in the now-submerged cave systems on the Yucatán Peninsula continue to yield evidence for human presence during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. Skeletal remains are scattered throughout the caves of Quintana Roo, most representing individuals who died in situ. The reasons why they explored these underground environments have remained unclear. Here, we announce the discovery of the first subterranean ochre mine of Paleoindian age found in the Americas, offering compelling evidence for mining in three cave systems on the eastern Yucatán over a ~2000-year period between ~12 and 10 ka. The cave passages exhibit preserved evidence for ochre extraction pits, speleothem digging tools, shattered and piled flowstone debris, cairn navigational markers, and hearths yielding charcoal from highly resinous wood species. The sophistication and extent of the activities demonstrate a readiness to venture into the dark zones of the caves to prospect and collect what was evidently ...

Research paper thumbnail of Wealth inequality, social stratification, and the built environment in Late Prehispanic Highland Mexico: A comparative analysis with special emphasis on Tlaxcallan

Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, 2020

Abstract Beginning in the last century, archaeologists became interested in the development of so... more Abstract Beginning in the last century, archaeologists became interested in the development of social complexity. Since that time, the basic concept of states and complex societies has been defined by rigid social stratification, extreme wealth inequality, and political centralization. However, recently, landscape approaches, household archaeology, city-states, and “alternative pathways to complexity” have begun to make inroads in developing a more robust approach to premodern states. Specifically, anthropological theory has advanced significantly with the incorporation of Collective Action, yet theoretical and empirically based studies of wealth inequality, social stratification, and the built environment in the archaeological literature are still limited. Therefore, in this paper, we seek to test the traditional definition of the state and complex societies using cases from Middle-Late Postclassic Highland Mexico (Central Mexico and Oaxaca), especially the case of Tlaxcallan. Using a comparative approach, we find that a stark division between public and private architecture and a compression of wealth inequality and social stratification, especially the absence of palaces, and a comparatively high degree of political centralization, marked the Tlaxcaltecan state. Accordingly, we conclude that theoretical approaches in archaeology must incorporate Collective Action Theory or other comparable approaches to effectively deal with real empirical variation in the past.

Research paper thumbnail of Postclassic Tool Production at Santa Rita Corozal

University Press of Florida, 2017

This chapter presents a case study of a previously excavated lithic sample from Santa Rita Coroza... more This chapter presents a case study of a previously excavated lithic sample from Santa Rita Corozal, considering stone tool production at two structures, 216 and 218. Both exhibit a higher number of Postclassic chert and chalcedony lithic artifacts than other contemporary structures excavated at the site. The authors use debitage analysis to reveal how two households crafted formal tools locally and visual sourcing analysis to better understand how these tools articulated with broader traditions of lithic craft production in a regional exchange network. In contrast to the commercial level of production exhibited at Colha, Belize, these households used a variety of source materials and produced a less standardized tool kit on a much smaller scale.

Research paper thumbnail of Producer-Consumer' Revisited: A Postclassic View of Stone Tool Production from Santa Rita Corozal, Belize

Research paper thumbnail of Chert Tool Production and Exchange at Two Late Postclassic Coastal Maya Households

Research paper thumbnail of Producer-Consumer' Revisted: A Postclassic View of Stone Tool Production From Santa Rita Corozal, Belize

Research paper thumbnail of Florida Marine Tracks: Mapping Floridas Waterways

Utilizing Global Mapper, a product developed by Blue Marble Geographics, in conjunction with open... more Utilizing Global Mapper, a product developed by Blue Marble Geographics, in conjunction with open source imagery and bathymetric data obtained from several agencies, Florida Marine Tracks (FMT) has compiled an electronic navigation product with complete coverage of all Florida’s coasts and waterways, including the Keys and the Florida Bay regions. Additionally, tracks and routes through marked and unmarked channels provide ground tested navigation paths in environmentally sensitive areas, including where prop scarring frequently occurs. FMT, a cartographic development company which specializes in marine navigation products, has partnered with Navico Inc., to incorporate the FMT map on an encoded SDHC chip which can be used in Navico chartplotters. In fact, the FMT project of mapping Florida’s coastal and inland waterways has proven to be the largest mapping project of any of Navico’s partners. The use of Global Mapper throughout this project has provided several key advantages over other GIS programs, making it ideal for analysis involving navigational and cartographic development. In fact, Global Mapper was specifically chosen because of its friendly graphical user interface. Several conversion options, such as the raster clipping options using the digitizer tools, and projection options found in the configuration window, allow for user friendly raster conversions and exports. Additionally, converting imagery file formats to allow for transparency of pixel values can also be easily accomplished using the raster options found in the overlay control center. Lastly, control of exports using bounding boxes, pixel widths, and file formats are streamlined and convenient when working with large datasets of aerial photography and satellite imagery. The use of this powerful software, in conjunction with the latest dataset of aerial photography and bathymetric data, has resulted in the production of a marine navigation software package which incorporates visual aids, fluctuating tidal data, and other statistics into a single SDHC chip which can be used to ensure a safe boating experience throughout all of Florida’s coastlines.

Research paper thumbnail of Exchange Systems in Late Postclassic Mesoamerica: Comparing Open and Restricted Markets at Tlaxcallan, Mexico, and Santa Rita Corozal, Belize

Latin American Antiquity, 2020

In premodern economic systems where the social embedding of exchange provided actors with the abi... more In premodern economic systems where the social embedding of exchange provided actors with the ability to control or monopolize trade, including the goods that enter and leave a marketplace, "restricted markets" formed. These markets produced external revenues that could be used to achieve political goals. Conversely, commercialized systems required investment in public goods that incentivize the development of market cooperation and "open markets," where buyers and sellers from across social sectors and diverse communities could engage in exchange as economic equals within marketplaces. In this article, we compare market development at the Late Postclassic sites of Chetumal, Belize, and Tlaxcallan, Mexico. We identified a restricted market at Chetumal, using the distribution of exotic goods, particularly militarily and ritually charged obsidian projectile points; in contrast, an open market was built at Tlaxcallan. Collective action theory provides a useful frame...

Research paper thumbnail of Postclassic Tool Production at Santa Rita Corozal: Implications for Domestic Craft Production and Regional Exchange in Flaked Stone

Research paper thumbnail of Chert Tool Production and Exchange at Two Late Postclassic Coastal Maya Households

Chert tool production and exchange has long been studied for the Maya Preclassic to Terminal Clas... more Chert tool production and exchange has long been studied for the Maya Preclassic to Terminal Classic Periods of Northern Belize (1000 B.C.-A.D. 950). It is increasingly clear that lithic systems of production and exchange were an integral part of the economic environment for this region, yet lithic research pertaining to the Maya Postclassic Period (A.D. 950-1530) is not well represented in the general literature. A recent examination of 110 chert, chalcedony, and obsidian small side-notched projectile points and point preforms, as well as 2,163 pieces of associated production debitage from two Late Postclassic households at Santa Rita Corozal, Belize, has yielded the identification of two lithic craft production areas. Examination of the complete lithic collection from these residences, as well as an additional 176 projectile points located throughout the site, reveals the need for new models of lithic production and exchange for this region during the Postclassic Period.

Research paper thumbnail of Socioeconomics of Craft Production in the Copán Hinterland: The Chert Industry of Río Amarillo, Honduras

This study presents new data from the site of Río Amarillo, Honduras focusing on the social aspec... more This study presents new data from the site of Río Amarillo, Honduras focusing on the social aspects of craft production in the political sphere of Copán, Honduras. Between 2011 and 2014, excavations led by the Proyecto Arqueológico Río Amarillo Copán (PARAC) have recovered large quantities of microcrystalline silicate artifacts, including nodules, debitage, and finished tools. The shift from the Late Classic (A.D. 600-900) to Early Postclassic period (A.D. 1000-1250) is marked by changes in the organization of production, and the diversification of chert procurement patterns at Río Amarillo. Data suggest that residents partially relied on a local procurement network that included settlements near the confluence of the nearby Río Piedras Negras and Río Blanco. In addition, two unknown microcrystalline silicate sources were exploited late in the site’s occupation, possibly from more distant areas beyond the eastern Rio Amarillo pocket. Technologically, there are significant differences in manufacturing waste, signifying shifts in craft production during the two time periods. It is suggested that political changes relate to shifts in local systems of procurement, and that production activities may have transitioned with the decline of Copán’s power.

Research paper thumbnail of Florida Marine Tracks-Mapping Florida's Waterways

Utilizing Global Mapper, a product developed by Blue Marble Geographics, in conjunction with open... more Utilizing Global Mapper, a product developed by Blue Marble Geographics, in conjunction with open source imagery and bathymetric data obtained from several agencies, Florida Marine Tracks (FMT) has compiled an electronic navigation product with complete coverage of all Florida’s coasts and waterways, including the Keys and the Florida Bay regions. Additionally, tracks and routes through marked and unmarked channels provide ground tested navigation paths in environmentally sensitive areas, including where prop scarring frequently occurs. FMT, a cartographic development company which specializes in marine navigation products, has partnered with Navico Inc., to incorporate the FMT map on an encoded SDHC chip which can be used in Navico chartplotters. In fact, the FMT project of mapping Florida’s coastal and inland waterways has proven to be the largest mapping project of any of Navico’s partners.
The use of Global Mapper throughout this project has provided several key advantages over other GIS programs, making it ideal for analysis involving navigational and cartographic development. In fact, Global Mapper was specifically chosen because of its friendly graphical user interface. Several conversion options, such as the raster clipping options using the digitizer tools, and projection options found in the configuration window, allow for user friendly raster conversions and exports. Additionally, converting imagery file formats to allow for transparency of pixel values can also be easily accomplished using the raster options found in the overlay control center. Lastly, control of exports using bounding boxes, pixel widths, and file formats are streamlined and convenient when working with large datasets of aerial photography and satellite imagery. The use of this powerful software, in conjunction with the latest dataset of aerial photography and bathymetric data, has resulted in the production of a marine navigation software package which incorporates visual aids, fluctuating tidal data, and other statistics into a single SDHC chip which can be used to ensure a safe boating experience throughout all of Florida’s coastlines.

Research paper thumbnail of 'Producer-Consumer' Revisted: A Postclassic View of Stone Tool Production From Santa Rita Corozal, Belize

The “producter-consumer” model of lithic tools between sites outside of the Belizean Chert Bearin... more The “producter-consumer” model of lithic tools between sites outside of the Belizean Chert Bearing Zone and the site of Colha has been well established for the Maya Preclassic to Terminal Classic Periods (C.A. 1000 B.C. - A.D. 800). Unfortunately, published lithic research on this region during the Postclassic Period (A.D. 900-1539) is scarce, and it is increasingly clear that producer-consumer models may be inappropriate for this time. A recent examination of 71 chert and chalcedony small side-notched points, point preforms, and 1,067 pieces of associated manufacturing debitage from one household residence at the Postclassic site of Santa Rita Corozal, Belize, reveals the presence of cortical flakes, prepared cores, flake blanks, and bifacial thinning flakes. Such information does not coincide with earlier producer-consumer models of Northern Belize that emphasize production occurring outside of site centers. The analysis of the complete Postclassic lithic assemblage from Santa Rita Corozal, including an additional 151 projectile points and associated reduction debris located throughout the site, demonstrates the need to generate new models of stone tool production for the Postclassic Period at this Northern Belizean locale.

Research paper thumbnail of The Organization of Prismatic Blade Production at Late Postclassic Tlaxcallan, Central Mexico

Systems of craft production and exchange in Mesoamerica are often correlated with the socio-polit... more Systems of craft production and exchange in Mesoamerica are often correlated with the socio-political circumstances in which they formed. In this paper we compare access to lithic items including prismatic blades, unidirectional blade cores, blade production debitage, and projectile points among households at Late Postclassic Tlaxcallan, located in Central Mexico. Specifically, we investigate the organization of prismatic blade production and test if elites incorporated this industry into their political economy, as has been noted at some pre-Hispanic cities in Central Mexico and further abroad. We specifically examine what households produced these goods, and compare access to the finished products, including the accessibility of non-local raw materials used in their production. Two data sets are examined: the first is a collection of prismatic blades and blade cores recovered from five households and one public context. Access to projectile points are then compared among these contexts to further test the degree of market exchange in the distribution of lithic goods, as has been suggested by ethnohistoric accounts.

Research paper thumbnail of Commercialization, Consumption, and Political-Economic Strategies in Late Postclassic Mesoamerica: A Comparative Study of Access to Projectile Points at Tlaxcallan and Santa Rita Corozal

Over the course of the Postclassic Period (A.D. 950 – 1521), commercialization was on the rise in... more Over the course of the Postclassic Period (A.D. 950 – 1521), commercialization was on the rise in ancient Mesoamerica, reaching its apex at the time of contact with Europeans. Extant information indicates that both interregional trade and regional market integration increased during this time, especially during the Late Postclassic (A.D. 1250/1300 – 1521). Yet, researchers have little comparative published information on household consumption from well-excavated residential contexts for this period. In this paper we compare access to formal lithic tools (projectile points) at two Late Postclassic sites with differing governing structures: Tlaxcallan (located in Central Mexico), and Santa Rita Corozal (located in coastal Belize). Specifically, we investigate the degree to which political-economic factors affected production and access to projectile points, including the accessibility of non-local raw materials used in their production, and their distribution among various households. We test whether households with differing social statuses monopolized or controlled finished points, and if the raw materials used to produce them varied among households on the basis of status. Finally, we consider the degree to which these patterns correlate with differing political-economic strategies employed by governing officials at the study sites.

Research paper thumbnail of Chipped Tool Production and Exchange in Late Postclassic Tlaxcallan: Integrating Specialized Production with the Political Economy of a Collective State

Archaeological and ethnohistoric research has demonstrated that political-economic strategies in ... more Archaeological and ethnohistoric research has demonstrated that political-economic strategies in Late Postclassic (AD 1250 – 1521) Tlaxcallan were highly collective. At the same time, recent cross-cultural research indicates that collective political structures are strongly correlated with internal revenue sources, or taxes and corvée paid by free citizens. Thus, we hypothesize that Tlaxcaltecan political architects established internal revenue strategies to fund state activities. If this were the case, we would expect that goods were distributed through either large-scale redistribution or through open and competitive markets (as commodities). In this paper, we test this hypothesis by drawing on a dataset of roughly 11,000 lithic artifacts yielded by excavations in two Late Postclassic residential terraces located within the city of Tlaxcallan. These data demonstrate that imported obsidian was widely used as a bulk economic resource. Thus, although obsidian was difficult to acquire due to Tlaxcallan's antagonistic relationship with the Aztec, the distribution of obsidian was not controlled for political gain (e.g., distributed as gifts through embedded exchange systems). Thus, this paper contributes to broader studies of economy in Central Mexico by illustrating alternative paths to production and exchange available to consumers.

Research paper thumbnail of Political Dynamics and the Organization of Chert Production in the Copán Valley. (2017) Meissner, Nathan J., Marc Marino, Emmalea Gomberg.

Research paper thumbnail of Dissembedded Networks of Interaction Between Teotihuacan and the Gulf Lowlands- By Wesley D. Stoner and Marc D. Marino

Teotihuacan, The World Beyond the City (Dumbarton Oaks Pre-Columbian Symposia and Colloquia), 2020

The role of Teotihuacan in the Gulf Lowlands has escaped unitary models of explanation, largely b... more The role of Teotihuacan in the Gulf Lowlands has escaped unitary models of explanation, largely because of the multiplicity of differently motivated agents guiding interactions. Materials, goods, and ideas traded between regions were disembedded in the sense that they were lifted out of their original context and transplanted into new symbolic, political, and economic systems (Giddens 1991; Peck 2013). The form, meaning, and use of the original object potentially changed in its new context, as human groups continuously monitored and adapted incoming signals against “tradition” within their local systems. This process resulted in variable outcomes across space depending on the specific circumstances. We suggest that seeking a unitary explanation for Teotihuacan’s role in Mesoamerica ultimately ignores the opportunistic ways in which groups on both sides viewed and applied exotic inputs to their own local settings. Here, we highlight the variability of interaction in the Gulf Lowlands so that a new, more flexible framework of analysis might emerge.

Research paper thumbnail of Comparing three sample preparation techniques for portable X-ray fluorescence: A case study of Coarse Orange ceramic jars, Veracruz, Mexico

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2022

Applications of energy dispersive portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF; Olympus Vanta M Series VMR) ... more Applications of energy dispersive portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF; Olympus Vanta M Series VMR) for the chemical analysis of ceramic fabrics are gaining importance for archaeology. In addition to the broad accessibility of the instruments and their ability to gain first-look chemical data without destroying archaeological samples, the ability to bring the instrument to the field may be the only option for researchers working internationally. Through a systematic evaluation of quality control measures applied to multiple standard and in-house reference materials, we conclude that the pXRF employed in this study can precisely and accurately quantify many elements, some of which are not reported or possess high detection limits as measured by other instruments, including neutron activation analysis (NAA). We also demonstrate that analyzing ceramics in different states – intact sherds, homogenized powders, or pressed planchets – produce internally consistent results within categories but yield different results across sample preparation techniques. Finally, we re-analyze an archaeological sample of Coarse Orange jars from the Classic period Tuxtla Mountains, Veracruz, Mexico previously studied through petrography and NAA (Stoner, 2013; Stoner et al., 2008). Analyses of samples processed into homogenized powders yield the most accurate and precise results, rivaling the analytical capabilities of NAA for characterizing this particular sample of ceramics. Analysis of intact sherds and pressed planchets yields sufficient results to reproduce the main compositional groups identified through prior NAA, but loses some detail necessary to separate subgroups.

Research paper thumbnail of Exchange Systems in Late Postclassic Mesoamerica: Comparing Open and Restricted Markets at Tlaxcallan, Mexico, and Santa Rita Corozal, Belize

Latin American Antiquity, 2020

In premodern economic systems where the social embedding of exchange provided actors with the abi... more In premodern economic systems where the social embedding of exchange provided actors with the ability to control or monopolize trade, including the goods that enter and leave a marketplace, "restricted markets" formed. These markets produced external revenues that could be used to achieve political goals. Conversely, commercialized systems required investment in public goods that incentivize the development of market cooperation and "open markets," where buyers and sellers from across social sectors and diverse communities could engage in exchange as economic equals within marketplaces. In this article, we compare market development at the Late Postclassic sites of Chetumal, Belize, and Tlaxcallan, Mexico. We identified a restricted market at Chetumal, using the distribution of exotic goods, particularly militarily and ritually charged obsidian projectile points; in contrast, an open market was built at Tlaxcallan. Collective action theory provides a useful framework to understand these differences in market development. We argue that Tlaxcaltecan political architects adopted more collective strategies, in which open markets figured, to encourage cooperation among an ethnically diverse population.

En los sistemas económicos premodernos donde la inserción social del intercambio proporcionó a los agentes la capaci-dad de controlar o monopolizar el intercambio, incluyendo los bienes que entraron y salieron del mercado, se desarro-llaron "mercados restringidos". Estos mercados produjeron ingresos externos que fueron utilizados para alcanzar metas políticas. En contraste, los sistemas comercializados requirieron de la inversión en bienes públicos que incentivaron el desarrollo de la cooperación mercantil y "mercados abiertos", donde los vendedores y compradores de diversas comu-nidades y sectores sociales participaron en el intercambio como pares dentro del mercado. En este artículo, se compara el desarrollo del mercado en dos sitios del posclásico tardío: Chetumal en Belice y Tlaxcallan en el altiplano central de Méx-ico. En Chetumal, se identificó un mercado restringido, basado en la distribución de bienes exóticos, particularmente pun-tas de obsidiana que simbolizan una carga militar y ritual; mientras que en Tlaxcallan se construyó un mercado abierto. La teoría de acción colectiva proporciona el marco para entender las diferencias en el desarrollo de estos dos mercados. Se plantea que los arquitectos políticos tlaxcaltecas implementaron estrategias más colectivas, en las cuales los mercados abiertos fueron importantes para enfatizar la cooperación de una población étnicamente diversa.