ANALYSIS OF ZAPOTEC CERAMICS OF THE CAXONOS RIVER BASIN, OAXACA, MEXICO BY THERMOLUMINESCENCE (TL)

Abstract

One of the most common materials that appear in archaeological excavations is the ceramics. Ceramic is an evidence for different activities and cultural periods. Thermoluminescence (TL) has been shown to be a very effective method for dating of archaeological ceramics. In this paper, we present the results of 18 Zapotec ceramics from different archaeological sites of the Caxonos River Basin, Northern Sierra of Oaxaca, Mexico, analyzed by TL. Based on these results, we established the first chronological data set of this important Mesoamerica site. Our new data give evidence for the existence of a trade route through the Caxonos River Basin used since 500 AD between the central valley of Oaxaca and the Gulf of Mexico. Methodologically we used the fine grain technique (4‐11μm) and for the determination of the paleodose the additive method was applied.