A new study by Tulane University, in collaboration with Mexico's Proyecto Templo Mayor, revealed extensive obsidian trade networks of the Mexica Empire, commonly known as the Aztecs, according to Discover Magazine. The research indicates that the network relied not only on military conquest but also on market-driven exchanges with rival cultures to meet domestic needs.
The study examined 788 obsidian artifacts excavated from the Templo Mayor, the main temple of the Mexica capital, Tenochtitlan, making it the largest study of its kind to date. The comprehensive analysis allowed researchers to gain a deeper understanding of the economic and political dynamics of the Mexica Empire.
"Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass that forms when lava cools rapidly with minimal crystal growth and was a treasured commodity in the Mexica Empire," reported HeritageDaily. It can break to form very sharp edges, making it an ideal material for crafting blades, arrowheads, and ceremonial objects by Mesoamerican cultures, as well as being used in the production of prized ornaments like mirrors and jewelry.
The findings revealed that the Mexica favored green obsidian for ceremonial artifacts from the Sierra de Pachuca mountain range, situated 94 kilometers northeast of Tenochtitlan. Sierra de Pachuca obsidian was valued for its quality and held symbolic ties with the legendary city of Tollan and the creator god Quetzalcoatl, stemming from its green hue and association with the mythical city.
"This kind of compositional analysis allows us to trace how imperial expansion, political alliances, and trade networks evolved over time," said Diego Matadamas-Gomora, lead author of the study and a PhD candidate in Tulane's Department of Anthropology. "After the Mexica consolidated power around 1430 CE, obsidian for ritual purposes became almost exclusively sourced from Sierra de Pachuca, suggesting growing religious standardization and centralized control," he further said.
Some of the studied obsidian artifacts originate from outside the political domain of the Mexica, indicating the extensive economic network that involved trade with communities outside the Mexica Empire, even with rivals. The authors traced some obsidian blades and flakes to the region of Ucareo, located 173 kilometers northwest of Tenochtitlan, which was dominated by the Purépecha Empire, who spoke a different language than the Aztecs.
"Obsidian originating from elsewhere was more likely to appear in less precious objects, such as blades," according to Discover Magazine. These findings suggest that the Mexica's economy benefited from long-distance trade, including trade with communities outside their region of control and possibly considered rivals. The researchers say less prestigious obsidian would have been traded at local markets and bought by members of the public.
"During the empire's early phases, more variety in obsidian sources appeared in both ritual and everyday objects," said Matadamas-Gomora, according to HeritageDaily. "Although the Mexica preferred green obsidian, the high diversity of obsidian types, mainly in the form of non-ritual artifacts, suggests that obsidian tools from multiple sources reached the capital of the empire through market instead of direct acquisition in the outcrop."
The presence of at least seven sources of obsidian indicates that the Mexica expanded their commercial interactions during this period. Other sources of obsidian included Otumba, Tulancingo, and El Paraíso. The rest of the obsidian objects are derived from seven different locations, some of which are far outside the ancient lands once dominated by the Mexica between 1375 and 1520 CE.
Tracking the origin of obsidian throughout the Mexica Empire shows how their political influence and access to resources changed over time, and researchers hope to further map the movement of goods across Mesoamerica by studying these origins. "This work not only highlights the Mexica Empire's reach and complexity but also demonstrates how the archaeological sciences can be leveraged to study ancient objects and what they can tell us about past cultural practices," said anthropologist Jason Nesbitt from Tulane University, according to Science Alert.
Historical documents suggest merchants from various regions in Central America would gather in Tenochtitlan's great market to sell their goods. This indicates an extensive trading network in pre-Columbian America that relied not only on military conquest but also on market-driven exchanges with rival cultures for domestic needs.
The article was written with the assistance of a news analysis system.
