Ancient Mesoamerica

Table of Contents - 2005 - Volume 16, Issue 02  


THE OBSIDIAN BLADE SEQUENCE AT EL UJUXTE, A LATE PRECLASSIC SITE ON THE SOUTH COAST OF GUATEMALA

C. Roger  Nance  a1 c1 and Jan  de Leeuw  a2
a1 Costen Institute of Archaeology, University of California, Los Angeles, 3215 Fermi Drive, Topanga, CA 90290-4432, USA
a2 Department of Statistics, University of California, Los Angeles, Box 951554, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1554, USA

Article author query
nance cr   [Google Scholar] 
de leeuw j   [Google Scholar] 
 

Abstract

Systematic data on about 1,200 blades from this site were summarized in terms of three ceramic phases (defined by Love 2002b) for the same site. That is, we assigned blades to phases based on the ceramic content of each provenience. Regular phase-by-phase decreases occurred in blade dimensions, weights, and length-to-width ratios. We predicted these results based on earlier findings from the site of La Blanca (Nance and Kirk 1991). The trend appears also within the latest Pitahaya phase, even at the level of the excavation unit. Blade densities decrease through Pitahaya deposits, as well, and the blade sequence is discussed in terms of an increased scarcity of obsidian or obsidian blades traded to the region.


Correspondence:
c1 E-mail correspondence to: crogernance@cs.com