ABSTRACT

Identifying ancient patterns of trade, exchange, and social relations through the tracking of the origin point and final place of deposition of objects is an integral part of archaeological research. Using such information, scholars have constructed elaborate interpretive models to explain the interactions of past societies. The key to success is the correct identification of the original material. In this project, we have undertaken the sourcing of the pipestones utilized by native people living in the Mississippian era in the region between Greater Cahokia and Aztalan in southern Wisconsin to make ear spools. For this research we employed near-infrared spectroscopy, x-ray florescence, and color measurement technology. Our research revealed that the primary source for regional Mississippian ear spools were two distinct variants of Baraboo pipestone from quarries in west-central Wisconsin. The analysis of the Aztalan ear spools and the recent discovery of an ear spool workshop area at the East St. Louis Mound Precinct have expanded our understanding of regional pipestone ear spool manufacture, distribution, and context. Our findings suggest that while Aztalan was enmeshed in a regional network of Baraboo pipestone exchange, Cahokia employed practices that focused on selective targeting for the acquisition of distant exotics.

摘要

通过追踪物品沉积的起源点和最终地点来识别古代贸易、交流和社会关系的模式是考古研究的一个组成部分。使用这些信息，学者们构建了详尽的解释模型来解释过去社会的相互作用。成功的关键是正确识别原始材料。在这个项目中，我们采购了生活在密西西比时代的原住民使用的管道石，这些管道位于威斯康星州南部大卡霍基亚和阿兹塔兰之间的地区，用于制作耳轴。在这项研究中，我们采用了近红外光谱、X 射线荧光和颜色测量技术。我们的研究表明，区域性密西西比耳线轴的主要来源是来自威斯康星州中西部采石场的两种不同变体的 Baraboo 管石。对 Aztalan 耳线轴的分析以及最近在东圣路易斯丘区发现的耳线轴车间区域扩大了我们对区域管道石耳线轴制造、分销和背景的了解。我们的研究结果表明，虽然 Aztalan 被困在 Baraboo 管道石交换的区域网络中，但 Cahokia 采用的做法侧重于选择性瞄准以获取遥远的外来物种。Louis Mound Precinct 扩大了我们对区域管道石耳线轴制造、分销和环境的了解。我们的研究结果表明，虽然 Aztalan 陷入了 Baraboo 管道石交换的区域网络，但 Cahokia 采用的做法侧重于选择性瞄准以获取遥远的外来物种。Louis Mound Precinct 扩大了我们对区域管道石耳线轴制造、分销和环境的了解。我们的研究结果表明，虽然 Aztalan 陷入了 Baraboo 管道石交换的区域网络，但 Cahokia 采用的做法侧重于选择性瞄准以获取遥远的外来物种。