Obsidian Trade Connections at the Postclassic Maya Site of Laguna De on, Belize

Abstract

Obsidian tools were an important component of the utilitarian economy of the Postclassic Maya site of Laguna de On, Belize, where they outnumber tools made of local chert and chalcedony. These data illustrate the dependence of Laguna de On households on a commodity that was obtained through long-distance maritime trade; this dependency was amplified from the 11th through the 15th centuries. Sourcing of obsidian blades from Laguna de On and many other Late Postclassic sites discussed here indicates that obsidian blades from the lxtepeque source far outnumber blades from other Highland Guatemala sources. Despite extensive trade networks throughout Late Postclassic Mesoamerica at this time, through which numerous utilitarian commodities were exchanged, it is clear that obsidian used in the Maya Lowlands carne primarily from the Maya Highlands, with little importation of Central Mexican sources, a phenomenon that occurred in earlier periods.