Hundreds of artifacts reveal where the Aztecs got their obsidian

Study Reveals Vast Aztec Trade Networks Behind Mexico City's Pre-Colombian Obsidian Hoards

There’s an old saying that if goods are crossing borders, generally soldiers don’t, a saying that new research has shown to be true even in the case of the warlike Aztecs in central Mexico. A new study sheds light on the economic networks, rituals and political influence the Mexica Empire (the word the Aztecs used […] The post Study Reveals Vast Aztec Trade Networks Behind Mexico City’s Pre-Colombian Obsidian Hoards appeared first on Good News N…

Obsidian, a volcanic rock widely used in Mesoamerica to create tools, weapons and ornamental objects, sheds new light on the intricate trade networks of the Mexicans, the empire that for two centuries ruled with iron fist the center of Mexico until the Spanish conquest. A geochemical analysis of 788 artifacts found in the Temple Major, in the heart of Mexico City, reveals new sources of origin of the obsidian circulating in Tenochtitlan, even fr…

Hundreds of artifacts reveal where the Aztecs got their obsidian

A new analysis of hundreds of obsidian artifacts from the Aztec Empire has revealed the vast trade networks that supplied obsidian, sometimes even from rivals.

Scientists uncover ancient Aztec trade networks through obsidian artifacts

New archaeological research led by Tulane University and Mexico’s Proyecto Templo Mayor has unveiled the extensive trade networks of the Aztec Empire, known as the Mexica, through the study of ancient obsidian artifacts. Obsidian, a volcanic glass highly valued for its sharp edges and symbolic significance, was a crucial material for tools, weapons, and ceremonial […] The post Scientists uncover ancient Aztec trade networks through obsidian arti…

Science Writing. Obsidian trade was a fundamental element of the Mexican Empire, indicates a study that analyzes artifacts of this material and suggests the existence of a sophisticated economy based not only on conquest, but also on active long-distance exchanges, even with rival states. The study -which Pnas publishes, is part of the Temple Major Project and is headed by the University of Tulane (USA) - sheds new light on the economic networks…

Many consider the Aztecs to be natives of Mexico. But they had once invaded the fertile high valleys as strangers, as aggressive warriors