[Aztlan] Ancient Clay Samples

[Bradley Russell]

Dear Listeros,

 

This summer while excavating a structure we believe was associated with ceramic production near the center of the Postclassic city of Mayapan, I encountered three very interesting offerings.  All three consisted of stacked olla bases with the bulk of the vessel removed, leaving essentially large ceramic platters.  Between each vessel in the stacks were layers of what appears to be raw clay.  The most interesting thing about the clay was that different vessels in the stacks had clay of different types (red, brown, buff, etc. as each susbequent vessel was removed).  

 

The first one we found was along the centerline of the structure, a second was associated with an infant burial (about 1 1/2 years old) and the third was sealed below the floor of the sub-structure covered by the structure I was there to investigate.  All three appear to be associated with the sub-structure occupation.  The initial find contained 17 vessel/clay layers. The others two had six and five layers respectively.

 

My initial interpretation of these offerings is that they are ollas that failed in firing and were recycled as clay storage or mixing vessels at the production site.

 

If correct, that would mean that the clays found inside of the vessels were original, ancient clays actually dug for production by inhabitants of the site.  I find that a fascinating prospect as it would make for very interesting sourcing work.

 

My question is, does anyone know of any similar finds of stacked ceramic and clay offerings or other finds of original clays in their archaeological context in Mesoamerica or elsewhere?

 

Another question I have is, to what degree is it likely that the chemical signatures of these clays would be altered from their years surrounded by the fill covering them?


Thanks in advance for any leads,

 

Brad Russell

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