Bitumen Sourcing in the Olmec Region
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Research Year:  2004
Culture:  Olmec
Chronology:  Early Pre-Classic (ca. 2000-850 B.C., uncalibrated radiocarbon years)
Location:  Veracruz, México
Site:  Olmec Heartland

Table of Contents

Abstract
Introduction
Table 1. Archaeological Phases and Periods
Bitumen in Mesoamerica
Bitumen Procurement and Exchange in the Olmec Region
Table 2. Archaeological Bitumen Sample Proveniences and Phase Assignments
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
List of Figures
Sources Cited

Abstract

Bitumen, found in abundance in Mesoamerica's southern Gulf Coast region in natural seeps and in many archaeological contexts, is an important economic resource and exchange item that has received little consideration in Mesoamerica. The FAMSI-funded investigation reported here is the initial pilot project of a long-term investigation of bitumen exchange among the Olmec. The goal of the pilot project was to locate and sample bitumen seeps in the Olmec region and to compare the chemical signatures of these natural seep materials to archaeological bitumen excavated from sites in the Olmec region. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis is used to trace archaeological bitumen specimens to their sources and provides data on intra-regional movement of bitumen, shedding light on patterns of material procurement, commodity exchange, intra-regional relationships, and interactions.

Submitted 08/31/2005 by:
Carl J. Wendt
Department of Anthropology
California State University, Fullerton
cwendt@fullerton.edu

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