Tarascan Copper Metallurgy: A Multiapproach Perspective
Archaeopress Archaeology (Verlag)
978-1-78491-625-1 (ISBN)
In the early sixteenth century much of West México was under the rule of the Purhépecha Empire, known to Europeans as the Tarascan Kingdom of Michuacan. Both archaeological and ethnohistorical evidence indicate that during the Late Postclassic Period (A.D. 1350-1525) this political unit was the primary center for metallurgy and metalworking in Mesoamerica. This technology was largely based on copper and its alloys. 'Tarascan Copper Metallurgy: A multiapproach perspective' focuses on evidence recovered from the area surrounding Santa Clara del Cobre, a Tarascan community in Central Michoacán. This pioneer research required the employment of multiple strands of evidence, including archaeological survey and excavation, ethnoarchaeology, experimental replication, and archaeometallurgy. Intensive surface survey located concentrations of manufacturing byproducts (i.e. slag) on surface that represented potential production areas. Stratigraphic excavation and subsequent archaeometallurgical analysis of physical remains were combined with ethnohistorical and ethnoarchaeological data, as well as comparative analogy, to propose a model for prehispanic copper production among the Tarascans. The goal of this analysis was to gain insights into the nature of metal production and its role in the major state apparatus. The study provides valuable insights into the development of technology and political economy in ancient Mesoamerica and offers a contribution to general anthropological theories of the emergence of social complexity.
BLANCA MALDONADO is an archaeologist specialised in ancient metallurgy and production processes. Specific areas of interest include pre-Columbian copper metallurgy in the New World, preindustrial non-ferrous metallurgy, and the cultural dynamics of technological practices. Her research has focused mainly on Mesoamerica and the South Central Andes. Prof. Maldonado holds a PhD in Anthropology from The Pennsylvania State University, with specialization in Archaeology. Her doctoral studies included training in archaeological science and archaeometallurgy at the University of Oxford and at University College London. She has received several research grants and awards, including a DAAD Research Grant (for an Academic Stay at the University of Bonn, Germany) and a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, also in Germany (Curt-Engelhorn-Zentrum Archäometrie Mannheim). She is currently Professor and Researcher in the Centre for Archaeological Studies at El Colegio de Michoacán, A.C, in Mexico.
Preface; Chapter 1 Introduction; Chapter 2 Approaches to the study of technology and craft production; Chapter 3 Synopsis of preindustrial metallurgy as applied to Mesoamerica; Chapter 4 Tarascan copper smelting at the zone of Itziparátzico: a case study; Chapter 5 Models of technological organization; Chapter 6 Conclusions, remarks and suggestions for future research; Bibliography; Appendix A IARP 2003-4: survey data; Appendix B IARP 2003-4: Test pitting data; Appendix C Slag analyses; Appendix D The rise of the theory of technology
| Erscheinungsdatum | 01.11.2018 |
|---|---|
| Reihe/Serie | Archaeopress Pre-Columbian Archaeology |
| Zusatzinfo | Illustrated throughout in colour and black & white |
| Verlagsort | Oxford |
| Sprache | englisch |
| Maße | 205 x 290 mm |
| Gewicht | 563 g |
| Themenwelt | Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Geschichte / Politik ► Vor- und Frühgeschichte / Antike |
| Geisteswissenschaften ► Archäologie | |
| Geisteswissenschaften ► Geschichte ► Regional- / Ländergeschichte | |
| ISBN-10 | 1-78491-625-0 / 1784916250 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1-78491-625-1 / 9781784916251 |
| Zustand | Neuware |
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