MATCHING PAST AND PRESENT CERAMIC PRODUCTION IN THE BANDA AREA (GHANA): IMPROVING THE ANALYTICAL PERFORMANCE OF NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS IN ARCHAEOLOGY USING MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES*

Archaeometry ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. PIZARRO ◽  
N. PÉREZ-DEL-NOTARIO ◽  
C. SÁENZ-GONZÁLEZ ◽  
S. RODRÍGUEZ-TECEDOR ◽  
J. M. GONZÁLEZ-SÁIZ
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Activation Analysis ◽  
Neutron Activation ◽  
Analytical Performance ◽  
Ceramic Production ◽  
Analysis Techniques

SMALL-SCALE HOUSEHOLD CERAMIC PRODUCTION: NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS OF PLAIN AND DECORATED CERAMICS FROM PRE-AZTEC XALTOCAN, MEXICO

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Kristin De Lucia ◽  
Matthew T. Boulanger ◽  
Michael D. Glascock
Keyword(s):  
Neutron Activation Analysis ◽  
Activation Analysis ◽  
Neutron Activation ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Ceramic Production ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Economic Systems ◽  
Early Postclassic ◽  
Ceramic Manufacture ◽  
Social Units

Abstract This study examines small-scale household ceramic production at the site of Xaltocan, Mexico, to understand the organization of household ceramic production prior to the development of the Aztec Empire. We examine utilitarian vessels and serving wares from an Early Postclassic (a.d. 900–1200) domestic context using neutron activation analysis (NAA). We also examine archaeological evidence for ceramic manufacture. The NAA data reveal that similar raw materials and paste recipes were used for both utilitarian and decorated wares, suggesting that households produced both plain and decorated pottery. We conclude that ceramic production was an intermittent activity that took place alongside other crafts and agriculture. By looking at ceramics within their contexts of use and production, we consider the practices and choices made by individual social units, which is crucial to interpreting broader Early Postclassic economic systems and the ways in which commoners influenced these systems.

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