Reassembling quarried landscapes through non-destructive X-ray fluorescence: the decorated metates from Central Nicaragua

Abstract

Between 300 CE and 1550 CE, the Isthmo-Colombian Area had one of the highest concentrations of stone artisans. This is reflected in the decorated metates that extend from Honduras to northern Colombia. The Chontales department, in central Nicaragua, plays an important role due to its geographic location between different cultural regions. In fact, archaeological investigations point to a strong tendency towards a local ethnic identity due to the style of its standing stone sculptures. However, the production of decorated metates appears to share similarities with broader regional styles from northern areas of the Isthmo-Colombian Area. Considering that most of the decorated metates were collected throughout the early half of the 20th century and belong to museums where no or limited information on their original context is contained, the study of these materials must rely mostly on alternative lines of evidence such as archaeometric studies. In this research, we explore the relationship between artisanal production and the selection of (volcanic) raw material sources in the Chontales archaeological landscape. In this paper, we present the (1) non-destructive characterization of the collection and (2) explore the correlation between geochemical sources and stylistic characteristics. Contrary to previous assumptions, the study finds that a wide variety of volcanic material sources were used in decorated metate manufacturing and may, in fact, have been widely circulated. Furthermore, the study suggests that specific sources were used for particular tasks. These results may provide insight into our understanding of persistent crafting traditions and intergroup interactions in Central Nicaragua.