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Household Crafting in the Maya City of Palenque, Chiapas Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 October 2025

Lisa M. Johnson*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Lucas R. M. Johnson
Affiliation:
Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, NV, USA
Arianna Campiani
Affiliation:
Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
*
Corresponding author: Lisa M. Johnson; Email: lisa.johnson@unlv.edu

Abstract

This report discusses recent excavations in a residential neighborhood of Palenque and the broader implications of a preliminary analysis of chert and obsidian flaked stone. We argue that the high relative frequency of obsidian blades, chert drills, cores, and primary core shaping debitage from one residential group is evidence for multicrafting and intensified production beyond the immediate needs of the household.

Resumen

Resumen

En este informe se abordan las últimas excavaciones llevadas a cabo en una vecindad de Palenque y, después de un análisis preliminar del pedernal y de las lascas de obsidiana halladas, se discuten sus implicaciones en un contexto más amplio. Pensamos que la gran cantidad de perforadores de pedernal, núcleos y los deshechos de talla de núcleos primarios encontrados en un complejo residencial, son evidencias de producción artesanal múltiple e intensiva que rebasa la necesidad inmediata del grupo doméstico.

Information

Type
Report
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for American Archaeology.

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References

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