A geochemical baseline for clays of the Toluca Valley, Mexico (original) (raw)
Related papers
Geochemical analysis and spatial trends of ceramics and clay from Angamuco, Michoacán
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2019
An important aspect of studying ancient empire formation is the role of local political economies throughout imperial fluctuations. Such insight can help us understand how imperial powers may or may not have exerted control over their subjects, and the broader impacts of imperial change on local populations. This study uses geochemical analysis (INAA) of ceramic samples and raw clays from Angamuco, located in the Lake Pátzcuaro Basin, Michoacán. Angamuco was occupied before and throughout the development of the Purépecha Empire (1350–1530 CE) and is thus an important case study for evaluating the impacts of political change on material production and manufacturing. We identify four compositional groups, two of which match previously identified groups elsewhere in the lake basin. We argue that Angamuco ceramics were largely locally produced and that raw material use remained relatively stable over long periods. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of ceramic production processes at Angamuco and will be compared to archaeometric studies in Western Mesoamerica and elsewhere.
Geochemical data from Angamuco, Michoacán, Mexico
Data in Brief, 2019
Included here are geochemical concentrations (ppm) of ceramic artifacts and clay samples from the archaeological site of Angamuco, Mexico. Additional data include maps and photographs of the ceramic samples. Concentrations were measured via Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis and are available here as Appendix B. These data complement the discussions and interpretations in “Geochemical Analysis and Spatial Trends of Ceramics and Clay from Angamuco, Michoacán”.
Archaeological research has shown that northern Rio Grande potters have used micaceous clays in the production of cooking, serving, and ritual vessels for more than 700 years, yet little is known about the raw material sources used to make these remarkable wares. Recent survey with traditional potters reveals the locations of micaceous clay deposits and the criteria used to select clays for pottery manufacturing. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) of raw material samples demonstrates that sources are chemically distinct and that archaeological and ethnographic vessels may be matched to them with a high degree of confidence. Source matches for ceramics attributed to Pueblo, Jicarilla Apache, and Hispanic potters illustrates the potential of geochemical testing to reveal previously unrecognized complexity in the ceramic markets and land-use patterns of the northern Rio Grande. A case study from Picurís Pueblo showcases the relevance of ceramic source analysis to modern pottery communities.
Petrographic analysis and INAA geochemistry of prehistoric ceramics from Robinson Pueblo, New Mexico
Journal of Archaeological Science, 1990
Thc cxamination of thin sections is a successful method for discovering provenancc groupings of archaeological ceramics if non-clay inclusions in pottery paste can be idcntified with petrographically distinctive geologic sources. When this is not the case, gcochemical analysis must be employed to search for more subtle evidence of such groupings. This situation is likely to arise in studies, such as the present one, where the objective is to discern local or subregional patterns of pottery manufacture and cxchange. Ninety potsherds from site LA46326 in New Mexico were subjected to both INAA and petrographic analysis. The results of this conjoint approach are assessed in rclation to geochemical theory and are analysed graphically and statistically.
Petrographic and geochemical analyses of prehistoric ceramics from Robinson Pueblo, New Mexico
Journal of Archaeological Science, 1990
Thc cxamination of thin sections is a successful method for discovering provenancc groupings of archaeological ceramics if non-clay inclusions in pottery paste can be idcntified with petrographically distinctive geologic sources. When this is not the case, gcochemical analysis must be employed to search for more subtle evidence of such groupings. This situation is likely to arise in studies, such as the present one, where the objective is to discern local or subregional patterns of pottery manufacture and cxchange. Ninety potsherds from site LA46326 in New Mexico were subjected to both INAA and petrographic analysis. The results of this conjoint approach are assessed in rclation to geochemical theory and are analysed graphically and statistically.
KIVA, 2020
The presence of Cibola white ware ceramic types at Late Developmental period sites in the Northern Rio Grande (NRG) region of New Mexico has been interpreted as a strong indicator of cultural interaction with, or immigration from, communities associated with the Chaco regional system in the American Southwest. We report the results of an analysis of chemical composition data obtained from neutron activation analysis (NAA) of pottery sherds originating from three Late Developmental sites in the southern Tewa Basin of the NRG. Our results revealed three compositional groups, one local and two non-local. Comparison with existing data sets allowed us to identify specific production areas and great house communities within the Chaco regional system as likely sources for one of the two non-local groups. Our findings also revealed five sherds of a local NRG pottery type, Kwahe'e B/w that were made with non-local clay from the Chaco regional system, but were tempered with local materials. La presencia de los tipos de tradicion cerámica de Cibola en los sitios arqueológico en la región norte de Río Grande (NRG) de Nuevo México del período Late Developmental se ha interpretado como un fuerte indicador de la interacción cultural con las comunidades asociadas con el sistema regional de Chaco en el suroeste de Estados Unidos o la inmigración. Presentamos los resultados de un análisis de los datos de composición química obtenidos a
Miner-Alogy and Chemistry of Mexico City Clay
2014
The mineralogical, chemical, and physical properties ofMexico City clay sediments from depths of5 to 19 m are presented, and an attempt is made to specify the mineralogy and chemistry responsible for the unusually high liquid lirnit of the clay. An X-ray analysis of < 2 pum clay fractions indicated the presence of smectite, as a principal clay mineral, and amerphous material. The contents ofpoorly crysta11ine Si, Al, and Fe extracted with oxalate were found to be in the ranges of32-57, 23-54, and 133-273 glkg, respectively, and the ferrihydrite content was as high as 226-464 g/kg. The high observed pH of 9.1 to 1O.1 was due to the presence of 1arge ameunts of carbonatc. Pore water salinity ranged from 51 to g4 gtL and was 1.4 to 2.4 tirnes higher than seawater salinity. Clay and silt were the dominant grain-size fractions, and the clay fraction (< 2 pm) varied from 19% to 51%. The specific surface area varied widely from 26 to 436 m21g. Because ef the high pore water salinity,...
In this paper, we carry out the multielement geochemical characterization of the different geological provinces existing in our study region (southwestern Tinogasta Department in the province of Catamarca, Argentina). We compare the regional geochemical profile with the profile of the sampled mudclay banks that exist in different environments (valley, foothills, mountains, transitional puna) located in our region. In order to fulfill these goals, we use the geochemical information coming from the georeferenced database topographic map Fiambal_a 2769-IV. Then, we apply different multivariate statistical techniques to compare both types of samples. We consider that it is important to understand the geochemical diversity and variability that the study area naturally provides, in order to more accurately calibrate the cultural inferences made in studies of provenance of prehispanic pottery. Statistical analysis shows a clear difference in the chemical profiles of the mud-clay samples and the stream sediment ones located in the cordilleran transitional zone (“Cordillera Frontal”) respect to other areas geological provinces (Famatina System and “Sierras Pampeanas”). However, we could not demonstrate that mud-clay samples of the archaeological area of La Troya alfar (Famatina System) presented a chemical profile that distinguishes them from others coming from similar environments, but in other geological provinces. However, their profile is more homogeneous than that of other samples from the Famatina System. The study demonstrates the high geochemical variability of the Abaucan extensive river basin, because of its geological history and the characteristics of its hydrographic network.
Microchemical Journal, 2020
This research characterizes and reconstructs clay procurement and production practices through the integration of in-situ portable XRF and petrographic analysis on ancient ceramics and clay materials recovered from the Mayales river subbasin (central Nicaragua). A particular choice for this study was the largest and arguably most significant archaeological site in the area, Aguas Buenas (cal 400-1250 CE), a pre-Hispanic indigenous agglomeration consisting of 371 human-made mounds of various shapes arranged in geometric patterns. Microanalytical approaches were applied to reconstruct the use of raw mineral resources in the production of ubiquitous pottery materials found at this site and in its immediate surroundings. The resulting compositional analysis produced geochemical and mineralogical data allowing for the characterisation of distinct, geologicallybased compositional groups throughout the valley, improving on the limited geological data resolution previously available. The integrated microscopic and compositional analysis (through p-XRF) of archaeological pottery materials and raw clay samples, generates a number of hypotheses and insights about the nature of the Aguas Buenas site, and its role as a shared space amongst groups living in the Mayales river Subbasin. Additionally, this study provides a solid research framework of investigation that can be employed for more detailed and extensive future studies on pre-Hispanic human occupation in this research area or elsewhere.
Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 2013
Neutron activation analysis (NAA) of ceramics from Xaltocan (n=651) displays high values for sodium and potassium and low concentrations of many transition metals and rare earth elements compared to other sites in the Basin of Mexico. Given that Xaltocan was situated on an island in the middle of a saline lake, the potential reasons for this chemical signature are diverse. On one hand, if the sodium and potassium were elevated due to some behavioral aspect of the potters, the Xaltocan chemical groups provide a glimpse at the behaviors of Xaltocan potters that permit more precise source designations. On the other hand, if this chemical fingerprint arose due to contamination in a saline post-depositional environment, the Xaltocan chemical groups would not be valid references for provenance studies. To evaluate these alternative hypotheses, we employ several lines of evidence: (1) comparison of the Xaltocan ceramics to over 5,000 NAA assays of clays and ceramics from the Basin of Mexico, (2) experimental doping of clays with water of J Archaeol Method Theory different salinities and fired to different temperatures, (3) leaching experiments of archaeological pottery sherds (n=22) recovered from the site of Xaltocan, and (4) laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry of the clay and temper fraction of a small sample of Xaltocan ceramics to determine which component is responsible for the elevated sodium and potassium values. The results suggest that the high sodium and potassium values were present in the ceramic paste before firing. We then use these newly established reference groups to better understand the role of Xaltocan in the regional economy. The type of experimentation employed in this study has proven to be an important method for determining the behaviors of ancient potters and distinguishing them from post-depositional processes.