Analysis of Archaeological Artifacts from Cotzumalhuapa, Guatemala

Final Comments

The analysis of ceramics and obsidian from Cotzumalhuapa was crucial for the interpretation of previously excavated contexts, and a necessary step for preparing full reports and publications. Analysis of ceramics recovered from excavations along the Cotzumalhuapa causeway system confirmed previous observations on the chronological placement of the system’s construction and use, and it also provided general information for dating the associated settlements. The construction and utilization of the causeway system are firmly dated to the Late Classic period, which is also the major period of growth and constructional activity throughout Cotzumalhuapa, as determined by previously excavated materials from residential compounds and major architecture, and associated radiocarbon dates (Chinchilla, Bove and Genovez n.d.).

Analysis of the obsidian debris recovered from the El Baúl workshop area confirmed the existence of a large-scale obsidian industry, which included the manufacture of both prismatic blades and projectile points. Raw materials were imported mainly from the El Chayal and San Martín Jilotepeque sources in highland Guatemala, and there are indications that a small amount came from the San Bartolomé Milpas Altas source. The database that resulted from the analysis of obsidian debris from this workshop will serve to prepare further reports and interpretations of the Late Classic obsidian industry of Cotzumalhuapa.

Importantly, there are indications that the obsidian dump was located immediately next to the simple platforms that may have served as production loci, which were revealed by excavations. The P31 stratigraphic pit indicated that the area was used for this purpose for a long time, but its ceramic contents tend to indicate that the workshop was mainly active during the Late Classic period. The proximity of the workshop area to an elaborate compound that possibly included a sweat house may be significant in terms of ceremonialism associated with the obsidian production process. Further investigation of this architectural compound is crucial to study the control of obsidian production at Cotzumalhuapa.

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