Tarascan copper metallurgy: a multiapproach perspective

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"In the early sixteenth century much of West Mexico 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 rec…

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Title Statements

Full title :Tarascan copper metallurgy : a multiapproach perspective / Blanca Estela Maldonado.

Summary

"In the early sixteenth century much of West Mexico 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 Michoacan. 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"--Publisher's description.

Edition Statements

Publication Date:©2018

Publication Statements

Publisher(s):Archaeopress Publishing Ltd
Place of Publication:Oxford
Language:eng
Publication Date:©2018

The Physical Object

Description:vi, 144 pages : : illustrations (some color), maps (some color) ; : 29 cm

Edition Identifiers

ISBN:1784916250, 9781784916251
oclc:on1042409248
LC Classification:F1221.T3
Dewey Decimal:972/.370049796

Introduction -- Approaches to the study of technology and craft production -- Synopsis of preindustrial metallurgy as applied to Mesoamerica -- Tarascan copper smelting at the zone of Itziparátzico: a case study -- Methods of technological organization -- Conclusions, remarks, and suggestions for future research -- 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.

Subjects

Antiquities Copper -- Metallurgy Cuivre -- Métallurgie Cuivre -- Mexique Excavations (Archaeology) Excavations (Archaeology) -- Mexico Fouilles (Archéologie) -- Mexique Fouilles archéologiques -- Mexique History Métallurgie -- Histoire. -- Mexique Métallurgie en archéologie -- Mexique metallurgy Metallurgy -- History. -- Mexico Metallurgy in archaeology Metallurgy in archaeology -- Mexico Mexico Mexico -- Michoacán de Ocampo Michoacán de Ocampo (Mexico) -- Antiqui… Purépecha Indians -- Antiquities Tarasques -- Antiquités