Subscribe to the newsletter of Wonder’s Wonder Science. Explore the universe with news about wonderful discoveries, scientific progress and more.
Hundreds of artifacts from Obsidian have unveiled the place on which Aztec acquired on the volcanic glass they used for tools, decorative pieces or religious objects for centuries – and its wide commercial networks included its competitors.
A new study of 788 pieces is the largest sample of Lush The artifacts were absolutely analyzed by Tenochtitlán, which served as the Aztec capital – also known as the people of Mexico – according to the authors, who reported their two results in The facts of the National Academy of Sciences.
Using the portable X -ray, which is a non -destructive method for determining geochemical fingerprints, the researchers confirmed that Mexico was partial for a specific green and gold act to produce rituals.
The researchers said that society has also relied on daily things made of different types of sizes, such as blades to cut them and cash, and thus was forced to create a complex economic system that encouraged long trade with competitors that exceed their political borders.
“Although Mexicas is the virtue of the green back, the high diversity of the types of garage, especially in the form of a non -harsh artifact, indicates that the prostration tools from multiple sources have reached the capital of the empire through the market.” “By studying where this article came from, we can explore the movement of goods across Central America.”
The research team was surprised by the diversity of the types of sale in the old capital, which exceeds those in other locations in Central America. This discovery also sheds light on how the Aztette community has evolved – as it provided more unified religion and control before the empire decreased in 1520 – by showing how Obsidian’s use changed over time.
The skilled celebration of Mexico, who were experienced at work with obsidian. – Michel Zabi/Couple
The most valuable back
The Aztec did not discover from Obsidian. It was already the most common raw materials in Central America when they reached the Mexico Basin in 1200, and the use of the survivor on a large scale to the old period, which was from 6000 to 2000 BC for Central American societies, Maadamas Gomura.
The authors of the study indicated that Sobaj originated from a geological formation known as the volcanic belt via Mexico, which spanned 621 miles (1000 km) from the west to the eastern coast in the center of Mexico.
Craftsman who has experience working with obsidian can form volcanic glass into incredibly sharp tools, according to the authors of the study. The natural reflection of the materials and scouts also enabled the people of Mexico to convert a plumbing into a very polished ornaments and religious things.
Some of the artifacts analyzed from Obsidian feature the distinctive green color analysis by Mexico. – Mirsa Islas/Courtesy Proycto Templo Mayor, Inah
The artifacts examined in the study were detected during the excavations that occurred over decades of the main AZTEC temple in Tenochtitlán, which is called the mayor of Templo, in what is now known as Mexico City. The study found that approximately 90 % of these artifacts from a lobby came from the Sierra de Pashka mountain range.
For centuries, Mexico buried weapons and mini jewelry shows in this holy heart of the city. They considered the green color one of the most valuable types of all kinds of prostration due to Hugh, and described it as a “Master of Master”.
It was believed that the green means had a symbolic relationship with Tolan, a legendary city where the god Quezalcoatl lived, which was believed to be the origin of the ancestors of the civilizations of Mexico.
“Most of the two paddies are gray or black,” Matdamas Gomora said in an email. “Green Sobaj from Sierra de Pacquoca is unique and related to this specific geological source. Aztec has recognized and valued.
The portable X -ray wiping enabled the artifacts, including Obsidian setting on the statues, the team from an unparalleled volcanic glass analysis. – Leonardo Lopez Logan/Court
John Melhauser, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Anthropology at North Carolina State University, said the study highlights the importance of measuring the anti -X -ray of X -ray of antiquities. Millhauser did not participate in the new study.
“Without it, we will not be able to study the history of these artifacts with these details,” said Melhauser. “Although this technology has not been widely used about two decades ago, every new application adds a decisive piece to the mystery of the old Mexican economy.”
Changing empire
10 % of the artifacts are manufactured using seven other sites, including otumba, tulacingo, Ucareo and El Paraíso. While both Automba and Serra de Bachuka were both controlling the Aztest Empire, places like Acario were outside the political borders of the empire, indicating that Mexico did not restrict the flow of prostration tools from competing areas to local markets, said Mattamas Gomura.
Book can be formed in sharp tools such as blades. The mini weapons were buried, such a small knife, as offers in Tenochtitlán. – Mirsa Islas/Courtesy Proycto Templo Mayor, Inah
In addition, tools can be found in rural and urban markets. The fact that people living in the heart of the capital relied on the same prostrational materials such as villagers and farmers in the surrounding countryside was one of the most amazing results of the study.
He said: “Given that hundreds of thousands of people live in the region, the size of the distribution and distribution network of Obsidian is unusual.” “It is a strong reminder of the strength of an economy in the middle of Mexico in the middle of Mexico 500 years ago, as goods take place like a large scale to meet the needs of societies throughout the region.”
Early in the history of the Aztec, a loser of ritual creatures and daily things came from limited sources. But after defeating the Aztec Empire on the Tepanecs from the AzCapotzalco and the empire began in 1430, the types of Obsidian increased, indicating that Mexico has expanded its commercial networks, Matadas-Gomora said.
He said in an e -mail: “Later, between (1481 and 1486), Mexico was ruled by Tlatoani (the ruler of the Azzte), Tízoc, who destabilizes the imperial dominance.” “We see in this period that prostrating diversity has been reduced to only two sources, Sierra de Pacco and Outumba, which was historically the basic supply sources of Mexico. After 1486, when a new ruler reached power, the rugged diversity increased to seven sources.
After that, to better understand old trade, Matadas-Gomora wants to reveal how a plumbing moves in Central America, including other archaeological sites, and reached Tenochtitlán.
“Archaeologists still know amazingly about Tenōchtitlan, the capital of Mexico, to a large extent because it is under the modern extension of the city of Mexico,” Melhauser said in an email message. “Every new study provides new visions in the lives of its old residents.”
For more CNN news and newsletters, create an account on Cnn.com
