Tepeaca Kiln Project

Discussion

Scores of features initially discovered by the Acatzingo-Tepeaca Project survey (most during its 1995 season) could be confirmed as being the remains of kilns, many of which probably date to pre-Contact times, although at least three large historic kilns were found. With the exception of one large historic updraft lime kiln (3.6 m in diameter), these kilns appear to have been pit kilns, oval/circular in shape, generally 1-2 m in diameter. Based on the excavations performed, it is believed that the floor of these pit features is typically approximately 0.5 m below the level of the tepetate. In 37 cases, lime processing is believed to have been the major function of the kilns. This function was confirmed for the three kilns that were excavated, one of which was radiocarbon-dated to the early 20^th century, another to the early Middle Formative Period. Pottery production has been inferred for a group of several kilns on the lower slopes of Cerro Tlaquexpa preliminarily dated to the Formative Period.

Unfortunately, the heavily eroded nature of the area of the Middle Formative kiln made any characterization of the organization of lime processing in prehispanic México impossible. Likewise, questions surrounding the development of craft specialization must remain speculative at this time. However, the relatively small size of K50 would arguably mitigate against a very intensive level of production or high degree of specialization. A household level of production with, at best, part-time specialization is suggested by the available data.

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