Obsidian exchange between the Toluca valley and its neighbors during the Classic

Abstract

In order to approach the history of the Valley of Toluca during the Classic period, it is fundamental to understand the relationship between the Teotihuacan state which dominated Mesoamerica for hundreds of years and its hinterland, in this case, the Toluca Valley. This relationship is evident in multiple manifestations of the material culture from daily life activities to ideological and ritual spheres. This article focuses on the circulation of obsidian, considered as one of the relevant resource to understand important aspects of historical processes of the Central Highland of Mexico. Some authors consider that the control of certain mines and the distribution of the material have been fundamental to consolidate the Teotihuacan State. This article centers on the obsidian from two sites, Santa Cruz Atizapan and San Mateo Atenco (State of Mexico), dated to the Classic-Epiclassic period. Based on the results of the inaa and xrf studies, as well as macroscopic analysis, it discusses on the long distance network in the Central Mexico as well as the political and economical implications of the obsidian circulation in the Valley of Toluca.