Obsidian traveled further than you did: The Aztec Empire's impressive trading system

A recent study has revealed an extensive obsidian trade network that connected various regions of Mesoamerica during the height of the Aztec Empire. Researchers analyzed 788 obsidian (a volcanic rock) artifacts found in the ancient Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan , and found that they came from multiple geographic sources, including areas controlled by rival cultures, demonstrating the complexity and scope of Aztec trade.

Most of the objects studied, including weapons, urns, earrings, and scepters, were made from obsidian from the Sierra de Pachuca , located about 94 kilometers northeast of Tenochtitlan. However, pieces were also identified from at least seven different sites, some located outside the borders of the Mexica Empire, such as Ucareo, a territory of the Purépecha Empire, reports Science Alert.

This discovery suggests that, in addition to exploiting their own quarries, the Aztecs maintained trade relations with outside regions. The presence of obsidian from diverse sources in Tenochtitlan indicates a dynamic economy and an exchange network that transcended political boundaries.

The analysis was conducted by a team of anthropologists from Tulane University, in collaboration with the Templo Mayor Project and Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History . Using compositional analysis techniques, the researchers were able to trace the artifacts' geographic origins and establish a chronology of their distribution.

The presence of obsidian from various sources indicates a dynamic economy

"This work not only highlights the scope and complexity of the Mexica Empire, but also demonstrates how archaeological science can be harnessed to study ancient artifacts and what it can tell us about past cultural practices ," says anthropologist Jason Nesbitt , who participated in the study and works at Tulane University.

The results show that, in the early stages of Aztec culture , obsidian was primarily sourced locally. However, following the consolidation of the Empire around 1430 AD, obsidian imports from more distant regions increased, reflecting the expansion and sophistication of Aztec trade routes.

The study therefore not only highlights the Aztecs' ability to establish and maintain complex trade networks , but also demonstrates how archaeological sciences can provide a deeper understanding of the cultural and economic practices of ancient civilizations.

A recent study has revealed an extensive obsidian trade network that connected various regions of Mesoamerica during the height of the Aztec Empire. Researchers analyzed 788 obsidian (a volcanic rock) artifacts found in the ancient Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan , and found that they came from multiple geographic sources, including areas controlled by rival cultures, demonstrating the complexity and scope of Aztec trade.