Obsidian Exploitation and Political Economic Dynamics on the Classic Period Through Colonial Era Central Plateau: An Analysis of a Lithic Collection from Cholula, Puebla, Mexico

Abstract

<p>In this thesis, I reevaluate current archaeological models of prehispanic Central Plateau obsidian exploitation systems through the analysis of a lithic collection dating to the Middle Classic Period through the Colonial Era from Cholula, Puebla, Mexico. Traditionally, absolute control over obsidian procurement and distribution networks in prehispanic Central Mexico has been attributed to various past states, namely those of Teotihuacan, Tula, and the (Aztec) Triple Alliance. Often in the literature these states are described as 'obsidian empires' that monopolized access to the sources and products of the major Mesoamerican obsidian source areas. And, obsidian consumption studies at sites across Ivlesoamerica have demonstrated the widespread distribution of central Mexican obsidian implements. However, few consumer studies of obsidian importation patterns at sites within close geographical proximity to the seats of these states, yet that existed somewhat independently of their political realms have been conducted. The ancient settlement of Cholula represents one such community. Yet, Cholula is an enigmatic site in prehispanic Central Mexican history and this thesis is meant to serve as an initial ingression into the possible significance of the Cholulan community's diachronic obsidian procurement-distribution-consumption behaviours for our understanding of Classic Period through Colonial Era Central Plateau political economic dynamics.</p>