Current Archaeometallurgical Research in Mesoamerica: New Approcahes, Discoveries and Perspectives
Presentation
Overview
Overview
Description
This session will focus on archaeometallurgical investigations in Mesoamerica that have recently been completed or currently being conducted throughout the region. Although archaeometallurgical investigations can provide detailed and very useful information about technology and the technological process of production, such as chaine opertiore, this symposium seeks to delve into deeper aspects of cultural and social issues related to metallurgy. Topics discussed in the papers in this symposium deal with broader issues related to the varied roles that metal objects played in the development and maintenance of social and economic complexity in Mesoamerican societies, and interpretations of the social significance metal objects held for the people who made and used them. Specific themes include the nature of craft production, long-distance trade, and the integration of metallurgy into local and regional economies. Data will be presented on the contexts in which metal artifacts have been found and the evidence for technological processes involved in metal production or manipulation throughout Mesoamerica.
