Intra-regional strategies and interregional dynamics : a study of pottery production in prehispanic Colima, Mexico (550-1000 CE)
This research evaluates the degree of political integration in Colima during the Late Classic/Epiclassic period (550-1000 CE) and the historical depth of three 16th-century regional polities through an examination of the political strategies embedded in pottery technology. Pottery samples covering three regional polities (Provincia del Colimotl, Valle de TecomaÌn, Provincia de Tepetitango) and corresponding to four geographical micro-regions (Colima Valley, Salado River basin, TecomaÌn coastal plain, western coast) were analysed. In this research, polities are conceptualised as webs of authoritative relationships, which are created and contested by political strategies. Pottery produced in the same polity should therefore be in the same network of authoritative relationships. Political strategies are uncovered by identifying the technological patterns, material and socio-technological constraints of production, sourcing-distribution patterns, organisation of production, and social contexts of the consumption of pottery. Compositional and fabric variability was assessed through the archaeometric characterisation of 215 pottery samples from 17 different sites distributed throughout the research area. The statistical
Salgado Ceballos, Carlos Andres
Archaeometry ; West Mexico ; Archaeology ; Ceramics ; Colima ; Mesoamerica ; INAA ; Petrography ; Political Strategies
Intra-regional strategies and interregional dynamics : a study of pottery production in prehispanic Colima, Mexico (550-1000 CE). This research evaluates the degree of political integration in Colima during the Late Classic/Epiclassic period (550-1000 CE) and the historical depth of three 16th-century regional polities through an examination of the political strategies embedded in pottery technology. Pottery samples covering three regional polities (Provincia del Colimotl, Valle de TecomaÌn, Provincia de Tepetitango) and corresponding to four geographical micro-regions (Colima Valley, Salado River basin, TecomaÌn coastal plain, western coast) were analysed. In this research, polities are conceptualised as webs of authoritative relationships, which are created and contested by political strategies. Pottery produced in the same polity should therefore be in the same network of authoritative relationships. Political strategies are uncovered by identifying the technological patterns, material and socio-technological constraints of production, sourcing-distribution patterns, organisation of production, and social contexts of the consumption of pottery. Compositional and fabric variability was assessed through the archaeometric characterisation of 215 pottery samples from 17 different sites distributed throughout the research area. The statistical
intra_regional strategy interregional dynamic study pottery_production mexico evaluates degree political integration late classic period historical depth th_century regional polity examination political strategy embed pottery technology pottery sample cover_three regional polity correspond geographical micro valley river basin coastal plain western coast analyse polity conceptualise authoritative relationship create contested political strategy pottery produce polity therefore network authoritative relationship political strategy uncover identify technological pattern material socio technological constraint production distribution_pattern organisation_production social_context consumption pottery compositional fabric variability assess archaeometric characterisation pottery sample different_site distribute throughout area statistical