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.

中文翻译：

---

小规模家庭陶瓷生产：墨西哥 PRE-AZTEC XALTOCAN 的普通陶瓷和装饰陶瓷的中子活化分析

本研究考察了墨西哥 Xaltocan 遗址的小规模家用陶瓷生产，以了解阿兹特克帝国发展之前的家用陶瓷生产组织。我们研究了早期后古典时期的实用器皿和餐具（广告900-1200) 使用中子活化分析 (NAA) 的国内环境。我们还研究了陶瓷制造的考古证据。NAA 的数据显示，类似的原材料和糊状配方用于实用和装饰器皿，这表明家庭生产普通陶器和装饰陶器。我们得出结论，陶瓷生产是与其他手工艺和农业一起发生的间歇性活动。通过观察陶瓷在其使用和生产的背景下，我们考虑了个体社会单位做出的实践和选择，这对于解释更广泛的早期后古典经济体系以及平民影响这些体系的方式至关重要。