Dissertation Research: Obsidian Economy in the Formative Tres Zapotes Hinterland

论文研究：形成特雷斯萨波特斯腹地的黑曜石经济

• 批准号: 9615365
• 负责人: Olivier De Montmollin
• 金额: $ 1.14万
• 依托单位: University of Pittsburgh
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1996
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1996-09-15 至 1999-02-28
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9615365&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Dissertation; Research; Obsidian; Economy; Formative

Under the direction of Dr. Olivier de Montmollin, Mr. Charles Knight will collect data for his doctoral dissertation. He will conduct archaeological research at the Olmec site of Palo de Rabo, located in the Gulf Coast region of Mexico to determine how obsidian was distributed and controlled. Obsidian (volcanic glass), because it holds a razor sharp edge, was a highly prized commodity among peoples such as the Olmec who lacked metal tools since it was used for both cutting and scraping functions. As an important economic commodity, obsidian can be traced through a prehistoric social system and by understanding how it was distributed and controlled, one can gain insight into many aspects of social organization. Obsidian in Middle America is particularly interesting from this perspective because it occurs in only a very limited number of places and through trace element analysis it is possible to trace obsidian from a site back to its source. Thus one can reconstruct not only intrasite but also external trade networks. Palo de Rabo contains widespread surface scatters of obsidian and other cultural material. It also has mounds and plazas associated with elite parts of the site. Mr. Knight will first conduct a general ground reconnaissance to determine the limits of the site and to produce a schematic map. A full coverage survey will then be undertaken with shovel probes where vegetation obscures the surface. On this basis, areas for excavation, including both `elite` and `commoner` residences, will be conducted to collect obsidian and other cultural materials. The obsidian will then be analyzed to determine how and where it was manufactured, distributed and used. The Olmecs developed the first complex society in Middle America and therefore are of great archaeological interest. They are important subjects for study both for the light they shed on the prehistory of the region and for the insight they can provide into the processes which led to the development of social complexity. Researchers wish to understand how social stratification, which accompanies social complexity takes place and have developed several hypotheses. Two of the most promising concern control over the acquisition and distribution of scares resources and Mr. Knight wishes to uses the Palo de Rabo data to test them. Since obsidian in not locally available in the region, it is a scarce and valuable resource which is ideal for an investigation of this type. The data Mr. Knight collects will be of interest to many archaeologists. The research will shed light on an important and poorly understood period of Middle American prehistory and will assist in the training of a promising young scientist.

在Olivier de Montmollin博士的指导下，Charles Knight先生将收集有关博士学位论文的数据。他将在位于墨西哥墨西哥墨西哥墨西哥沿岸地区的帕洛·德拉伯（Palo de Rabo）的Olmec地点进行考古研究，以确定黑曜石的分布和控制方式。黑曜石（火山玻璃）因为它具有剃刀锋利的边缘，因此在诸如Olmec之类的人民中是一种高度珍贵的商品，因为它被用于切割和刮擦功能，因此缺乏金属工具。作为一种重要的经济商品，可以通过史前社会体系来追溯黑曜石，并通过了解其分布和控制方式，可以深入了解社会组织的许多方面。从这个角度来看，中美洲的黑曜石特别有趣，因为它仅发生在非常有限的位置，并且通过痕量元素分析，可以从站点追溯到黑曜石回到其来源。因此，人们不仅可以重建内部的现场，而且可以重建外部贸易网络。 Palo de Rabo包含黑曜石和其他文化材料的广泛表面散布。它还具有与网站精英部分相关的土墩和广场。奈特先生将首先进行一般地面侦察，以确定场地的限制并制作示意图。然后，将使用铲探针进行全面的覆盖范围调查，其中植被遮盖了表面。在此基础上，将进行开挖区域，包括“精英”和“平民”住宅，以收集黑曜石和其他文化材料。然后，将对黑曜石进行分析，以确定其制造，分发和使用的方式和地点。 奥尔梅克（Olmecs）在中美洲发展了第一个复杂的社会，因此具有极大的考古兴趣。它们是研究对该地区史前史的光明的重要主题，也是他们可以提供导致社会复杂性发展的过程的洞察力。研究人员希望了解社会复杂性伴随的社会分层是如何发生的，并提出了几种假设。对资源的获取和分配最有前途的两个关注控制，奈特先生希望使用Palo de Rabo数据对其进行测试。由于黑曜石在该地区不可用，因此是一种稀缺和宝贵的资源，非常适合对这种类型进行调查。 奈特先生收集的数据将吸引许多考古学家。这项研究将阐明中美洲史前的重要且知之甚少的时期，并将有助于培训有前途的年轻科学家。