117
X. GEOLOGIC SOURCES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL OBSIDIAN
FROM SITES IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL VERACRUZ, MEXICO
Robert N. Jack, Thomas R. Hester, and Robert F. Heizer
A sample of 102 obsidian artifacts from central and northern Veracruz,
Mexico, has been analyzed by rapid-scan x-ray fluorescence techniques (cf.
Hester, Jack and Heizer 1971:93) for the trace elements rubidium (Rb), zir-
conium (Zr) and strontium (Sr). Results of these analyses are plotted in
Figure 2. The obsidian was obtained from the sites of Cempoala, Quiahuitzlan
and El Tajin (Figure 1) during a research trip in the winter of 1970. All
of the specimens are from surface contexts, but since nothing has been pub-
lished regarding the geologic obsidian sources represented at sites in this
area of Veracruz, we feel that it may be useful to make our findings avail-
able. Obsidian types discussed here are identical to those used by Hester
Jack and Heizer (1972).
Thirty-nine obsidian specimens (blades, flakes and fragments) were
secured from the site of Cempoala, the 16th century Totonac center located
25 miles above the city of Veracruz. Three distinct obsidian types were
recognized: type A (23.1%; Cerro de las Navajas, Hidalgo); type D (33.3%;
Zaragoza, Puebla); and, type E (43.6%; Cerro de Minas, Puebla).
The site of Quiahuitzlan is about 15 miles north of Cempoala. Most
of the archaeological remains at this site can be attributed the Postclassic
period. Fifty-six obsidian specimens-blades, flakes, and a blade core-were
analyzed. The bulk of the sample (71.4%) is of type D (Zaragoza) obsidian.
Type E (Cerro de Minas) obsidian constitutes 21.4% of the sample, with the
remainder representing type A (1.8%; Cerro de las Navajas), the unidenti-
fied type B source (1.8%) and two specimens (3.6%) which fall outside the
limits of previously recognized types.
Seven obsidian artifacts (blades and blade fragments) from the site
of E1 Tajin were submitted to us by Mr. and Mrs. Ray Krotser; these speci-
mens probably date from the Classic period. Six (85.7%) are of Zaragoza
118
obsidian, and the seventh is of type F, the geologic source of which remains
unknown.
It is apparent from our data that the obsidian source located in the
vicinity of Zaragoza, Puebla, was used quite heavily by each of these three
Veracruz sites. This is not surprising in view of the proximity of this
source; for example, the distance from Zaragoza to Cempoala is ca. 70 miles,
to Quiahuitzlan, about 65 miles, and to El Tajin, only 45 miles. As we have
earlier reported (Hester, Jack and Heizer, 1971; Hester, Jack and Heizer,
1972), Zaragoza obsidian is also a major type at the site of Tres Zapotes in
southern Veracruz, and at Cholula in the central Mexican highlands. The
predominant source at Cempoala is that of Cerro de Minas, lying 70 miles to
the southwest. Also at Cempoala, there is a relatively large amount of the
green obsidian characteristic of Cerro de las Navajas (Pachuca), about 100
miles to the northwest.
It is now well established that the Zaragoza obsidian source was much
used by the occupants of sites in central and southeastern Mexico. We reiter-
ate our awareness that archaeological site-geologic source correlations alone
provide limited insight since sites occupied for long periods of time may
have secured different materials at different times. Only stratigraphically
controlled obsidian samples can throw light on this matter. Although we are
now learning a great deal about the distribution of this type of obsidian, we
still know very little about the source itself. It would be very useful if
someone could carry out further studies at the source, and provide details on
the nature and extent of the obsidian deposits. In addition, more extensive
trace element analyses of source samples should be conducted so that we can
more precisely define the chemical limits of this obsidian type.
We have now published a series of papers on x-ray fluorescence analy-
sis of Mesoamerican obsidian. Many of the data obtained by these studies are
summarized in Stross et al. (in press). However, for the reader's convenience
we have prepared Table 1, in which we have listed the results of many of our
recent analyses.
119
Table 1.
Distribution
o
w
H
Cd rd
- .-r-
a)
rd et
(I)
O d
A *z
A C
A
o
v
__
B
of Obsidian Types at Sites in Mesoamerica.
All figures are in percent.
u] o
U)
U1)
0+4
, H
,  H
o r
C
H
a)
ct
N
0
N
D
o c~
U)
~r-
E
F
F
c)
U1)
0 C
H *r
rd o
G -
G
IXTE-     EL
PEQUE   CHAYAL
OTHER1
42.9  7.1
21.0 31.6 42.1
12.3 43.5 27.5  1.8
18.0 14.6      53.9
0.2  1.5  0.5 93.1
85.7
1.8  1.8
22.2
5.1 1.1 3.6
5.1*
3.4  2.2 7.9
0.9
0.7  1.7 1.4
14.3
71.4 21.4
33.3 44.4
18.8 75.0
6.2
* Probably includes some E1 Chayal samples.
1 This category includes obsidian types that have yet to be defined.
Samples from La Venta (surface and excavated) may actually be derived from
E1 Chayal, but this is not certain.
3.6
SEIBAL
LA VENTA
(Excav.)
7.1
35.7
7.1
5.3*
LA VENTA
(Surf.)
CHOLULA
TRES ZAP.
EL TAJIN
QUIAHUIT-
ZLAN
CEMPOALA
CERRO DE
LAS MESAS
120
Figure 1. Geologic obsidian sources and archaeological sites in central and northern
Veracruz, Mexico.
E
!f  *
.   *\  .   i
?4  i/
_so  E
/  04  N
0/
/.I . I A
0  _ _ y .
D
(0        \
.
" " :
\,      ,.,--
D
CEMPOALA
F
EL TAJIN
Rb
Figure 2. Plotted results of rapid-scan analysis of obsidian artifacts from central and northern
Veracruz, Mexico. Each point represents the relative Rubidium (Rb) K-alpha, Strontium (Sr)
K-alpha, and Zirconium (Zr) K-alpha intensities for one artifact.
121
D
Zr
122
Bibliography
Hester, T.
1971
Hester, T.
1972
Stross, F.
(in press)
R., R. N. Jack and R. F. Heizer
The Obsidian of Tres Zapotes, Veracruz, Mexico. Contributions,
University of California Archaeological Research Facility 13:
65-131.
R., R. N. Jack, and R. F. Heizer
Trace Element Analysis of Obsidian From the Site of Cholula,
Puebla (this volume).
H., T. R. Hester, R. F. Heizer and R. N. Jack
Chemical and Archaeological Analysis of Mesoamerican Obsidian.
In Advances in Obsidian Glass Studies: Archaeological and Geo-
chemical Perspectives (R. E. Taylor, editor).