Provenance of obsidian artifacts at Tenochtitlan

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences—A study* identifies the sources of obsidian used in artifacts from the capital of the Aztec Empire. Mesoamerican societies, including the Mexica, or Aztecs, valued obsidian as a key resource for tools and ornamental or religious objects. Diego Matadamas-Gomora and colleagues explored trends in the use of obsidian at Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Mexica Empire, from around 1375 CE to 1520 CE based on analysis of 788 obsidian artifacts excavated from the Templo Mayor complex. The authors used X-ray fluorescence to analyze the geochemical composition of the artifacts, which included ritual objects and fragments of prismatic blades and flakes likely used for nonritual activities. The analysis identified the Sierra de Pachuca obsidian deposit as the source of 89% of the artifacts. Sierra de Pachuca obsidian was valued for ritual objects due to its distinctive green and gold colors, and its use remained constant throughout Tenochtitlan’s history. Nonritual objects came from diverse sources within and outside the empire, including the Tulancingo, El Paraíso, and Zacualtipán deposits in the early phases of the site. Following the consolidation of the Mexica Empire around 1430 CE, obsidian from the Otumba, Paredón, and Ucareo deposits became common. According to the authors, the findings provide insights into the dynamics of obsidian trade systems across Postclassic Mesoamerica.

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Researchers analyze obsidian objects at the Proyecto Templo Mayor field laboratory in Mexico City.  Leonardo López Luján

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Above and below: obsidian artifacts from Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan.  Mirsa Islas Orozco

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Article Source: PNAS news release.