Propiedades magnéticas de cerámicas y arcillas de Teotihuacán y Veracruz, Mesoamérica - caracterización y proveniencia

Abstract

Rock magnetic properties on pottery and clay provide information on soruce and characterization studies, on manufacturing techniques and for correlation and dating. As part of a joint archaeomagnetic program we have investigated samples from two apparently very similar contemporaneous pottery sets: an excavation site at Teotihuacan. and several excavation sites in the Gulf Coast of Mexico, Veracruz State (and also from several potential clay sources in the two areas). The similarities extend to styles, surface finish, macroscopic properties and certain physical and chemical properties (Manzanilla et al., 1991). Rock magnetic data allow correlation among samples from the two pottery sets and for the potential sources of raw material (clay samples), and when combined with information from the macroscopic analyses, Mossbauer spectra, physical and chemical studies and archaeological data, results restrict potential clay sources and emphasize the similarities . between the Teotihuacan and Veracruz pottery sets. Several hypotheses are examined in terms of trade relationships, manufacturing technique, exchange, and immigration of pottery makers from Teotihuacan to Veracruz.