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Compositional and Stylistic Analysis of Aztec-Era Ceramics: Provincial Strategies at the Edge of Empire, South-Central Veracruz, Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Thanet Skoglund ,
Barbara L. Stark ,
Hector Neff  and
Michael D. Glascock
Thanet Skoglund
Affiliation:
School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287 (thanet_skoglund@yahoo.com)
Barbara L. Stark
Affiliation:
School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85297 (BLStark@asu.edu)
Hector Neff
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, California State University at Long Beach, Long Beach, CA 90840-1003 (hneff@csulb.edu)
Michael D. Glascock
Affiliation:
230 Research Reactor Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211 (glascockm@missouri.edu)
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Abstract

We use a provincial perspective combined with compositional and stylistic data and historic accounts to propose three provincial strategies for imperial interactions—bolstering, resistance, and emulation—and note a fourth, exodus. A sample of three Late Postclassic period (A.D. 1350–1521) pottery types differs in chemical composition between two localities in south-central Veracruz, Mexico. Sherds from the Aztec provincial capital of Cuetlaxtlan along the lower Cotaxtla River are compared to those from the Lower Blanco River where Callejón del Horno is located. The composition of stamped-base bowls, Texcoco Molded censers, and Aztec III-style Black-on-orange bowls is distinct in samples from the two localities, with only scant evidence of exchange. A few vessels of Aztec III Black-on-orange were imported from the Basin of Mexico to Cuetlaxtlan. The stylistic characteristics on Aztec III-style Black-on-orange vessels do not distinguish the two Veracruz localities, but there are differences between them and illustrated vessels from the Basin of Mexico. The Cuetlaxtlan province was subject to unusual imperial investments, which may account partly for the emulation of imperial styles. Despite documentary evidence of rebellions, another factor was local decisions to use a prestigious exogenous style.

Aplicamos una perspectiva provincial en combinación con los datos de composición y estilos y los documentos históricos para proponer tres estrategias provinciales para las interacciones imperiales—apoyo, resistencia, y emulación—y notamos una cuarta, éxodo. Una muestra de tres tipos de cerámica del período postclásico tardío (1350–1521 d.C.) indica diferencias en la composición química entre dos localidades en el centro-sur de Veracruz, México. Comparamos tiestos de la capital provincial de Cuetlaxtlan en el bajo Río Cotaxtla con otros del bajo Río Blanco donde se ubica Callejón del Horno. La composición de cuencos de Fondo Sellado, braseros de Texcoco Moldeado, y cuencos de estilo Negro sobre Anaranjado Azteca III es distinta en las dos localidades, con poca evidencia de intercambios. Unos cuantos cuencos de estilo Negro sobre Anaranjado Azteca III se importaron de la Cuenca de México a Cuetlaxtlan. Las características estilísticas de las vasijas de Negro sobre Anaranjado no se diferencian entre las dos localidades costeras, pero sí hay diferencias con la cuenca de México según las ilustraciones de vasijas publicadas. Cuetlaxtlan fue seleccionado para más inversiones imperiales de lo usual, posiblemente fomentando de esta manera un interés en imitar los estilos imperiales en la población local. Más allá de la evidencia documental de rebeliones, otro factor fue la decisión local en simular un estilo exógeno de prestigio.

Type
Reports
Information
Latin American Antiquity , Volume 17 , Issue 4 , December 2006 , pp. 541 - 559
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 2006

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