Trace element and technological analyses of obsidian artifacts from the Northern ridge of Lake Atitlan, Department of Solola, Guatemala

Abstract

One hundred obsidian artifacts from the San Jose Chacaya site area located along the northern ridge of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala were subjected to Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) to determine their provenience. In addition, sixty-six samples from the obsidian sources of Rio Pixcaya, El Chayal, and Ixtepeque were analyzed to provide source groups for the artifacts. NAA results indicated that seventy-five artifacts compare with Rio Pixcayi, eight compare with El Chayal, and thirteen are unassigned. None of the artifacts shared similar chemical signatures with Ixtepeque. In addition to the NAA analyses, the geology and geography of the Lake Atitlan region were examined to establish the absence of exploitable lithic sources in the area, as well as to define the site formation processes affecting the archaeological remains of San Jose Chacaya. This lack of lithic materials supports the importation of obsidian to the San Jose Chacaya area by way of regional and interregional trade routes. Several trade routes spanning from the Preclassic to the Postclassic were presented and compared to the location of San Jose Chacaya and its obsidian artifact assemblage. It was hypothesized the inhabitants of San Jose Chacaya relied upon these trade routes for their obsidian supply and may have been under the influence of emerging polities nearby. In conclusion, the archaeological evidence and the NAA analyses indicate the obsidian collection from San Jose Chacaya site area is Middle to Late Preclassic (500-100 BC) in age.