Archaeological obsidians of the Zoque region of Tabasco, Mexico: Chronological sequence of procurement

Abstract

This research examines obsidian artifacts of the Zoque culture, which spanned from the Preclassic-Protoclassic (1200 BCE-200 CE) to Late-Terminal-Classic Periods (600–900 CE) and Late-Postclassic Period (1200–1521 CE). Artifacts collected from three archaeological sites, including a rock shelter and two larger habitation sites with evidence of ritual and ceremonial architecture were analyzed in order to investigate potential interactions between Zoque people and other cultural groups. Analysis using Instrumental Neutron Activation revealed a wide range of geochemical sources, such as El Chayal, San Martin Jilotepeque, Guadalupe Victoria, Pico de Orizaba, Sierra de Pachuca, Ucareo, and Zaragoza. The diversity of sources suggests that the Zoque people procured raw materials from various locations and traded over long distances throughout different historical and cultural periods. This suggests that the Zoque people not only had strong connections within their local and regional environment but also had a broad commercial and cultural sphere.