Sediment geochemistry and facies analysis as tools to interpret the paleolandscape evolution and pre-hispanic settlement dynamics on the eastern shore of Lake Texcoco (Mexico)

IF 1.9 3区地球科学 Q3 GEOGRAPHY, PHYSICAL

Quaternary International Pub Date : 2025-05-26 DOI:10.1016/j.quaint.2025.109840

Kurt H. Wogau , Carlos E. Cordova , Luis Morett-Alatorre , Guillermo Acosta-Ochoa , Moritz Nykamp , Philipp Hoelzmann

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that prehistoric hunter-gatherer groups and Mesoamerican societies settled on the eastern shore of the former Lake Texcoco. The lake shore was a fluvial-lacustrine landscape shaped by seasonal and long-term transgressions and regressions. However, the basis for linking sedimentary environments to paleolandscapes and pre-Hispanic settlements dynamics is lacking. Thus, we focus in this study on reconstructing sedimentary environments using geochemical and sedimentary facies analyses to study the paleolandscape inhabited by agricultural societies in the Lake Texcoco region. To test this approach, we studied the interface between the San Bernardino and Chapingo Rivers with the lacustrine realm on the eastern shore of Lake Texcoco. We defined sedimentary facies by analyzing their macro and microscopic attributes, as well as using XRD, p-ED-XRF, TOC, C/N, and texture analyses to assess their chemical, mineralogical, and sedimentological characteristics. The combined results allow eleven facies to be assigned to three distinct environments, i.e., lacustrine, transitional fluvial-lacustrine, and fluvial settings. The stratigraphic sections showed a lake transgression with a minimum age of 1293–1242 cal yr BP (657–708 CE) and 1363-1294 cal yr BP (587–656 CE). The absence of archaeological sites in the lower plains during the Late Classic period supports the interpretations of the lake phase. At least two regression phases are interpreted. The first event occurred during the Epiclassic period with a minimum age of 1154–1051 cal yr BP (796–899 CE). The second event has a minimum age of 560–518 cal yr BP (1390–1432 CE), which is consistent with the rise of multiple settlements during the Late Postclassic period. This interpretation is further supported by the increase in settlements during the Postclassic period, probably related to an increase in the variety of natural resources available.

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沉积物地球化学和相分析作为解释墨西哥特斯科科湖东岸古地貌演化和前西班牙人定居动态的工具

先前的研究表明，史前狩猎采集者群体和中美洲社会定居在前特克斯科湖的东岸。湖岸是由季节性和长期的海侵和退潮形成的河流湖泊景观。然而，将沉积环境与古地貌和前西班牙人定居动态联系起来的基础缺乏。因此，本研究的重点是利用地球化学和沉积相分析重建沉积环境，研究特克斯科湖地区农业社会居住的古景观。为了测试这种方法，我们研究了圣贝纳迪诺河和查明戈河与特克斯科科湖东岸湖域之间的界面。我们通过分析沉积相的宏观和微观属性来定义沉积相，并使用XRD、p-ED-XRF、TOC、C/N和织构分析来评估其化学、矿物学和沉积学特征。综合结果可以将11个相划分为3种不同的环境，即湖泊、过渡河流-湖泊和河流环境。地层剖面显示湖侵，最小年龄为1293 ~ 1242 calyr BP （657 ~ 708 CE）和1363 ~ 1294 calyr BP （587 ~ 656 CE）。在晚古典时期，在较低的平原上没有考古遗址，这支持了对湖相的解释。至少解释了两个回归阶段。第一次事件发生在epicclassic时期，最小年龄为1154-1051 calyr BP （796-899 CE）。第二个事件的最小年龄为560-518 calyr BP (1390-1432 CE)，这与后古典时期晚期多个定居点的兴起相一致。后古典时期定居点的增加进一步支持了这一解释，这可能与可用自然资源种类的增加有关。

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来源期刊

Quaternary International 地学-地球科学综合

CiteScore

5.60

自引率

4.50%

发文量

336

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： Quaternary International is the official journal of the International Union for Quaternary Research. The objectives are to publish a high quality scientific journal under the auspices of the premier Quaternary association that reflects the interdisciplinary nature of INQUA and records recent advances in Quaternary science that appeal to a wide audience. This series will encompass all the full spectrum of the physical and natural sciences that are commonly employed in solving Quaternary problems. The policy is to publish peer refereed collected research papers from symposia, workshops and meetings sponsored by INQUA. In addition, other organizations may request publication of their collected works pertaining to the Quaternary.