Preliminary ceramic compositional analysis from the La Arenera site, Pacific Nicaragua

Ceramic compositional analysis has begun to provide critical support in understanding ceramic economy, especially production and distribution strategies, and archaeological typology in Pacific Nicaragua that was previously based primarily on surface decoration. Here it presents preliminary results o...

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Main Authors: Carrie L. Dennett, Lorelei Platz, Geoffrey G. McCafferty
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidad de El Salvador 2016-05-01
Series:La Universidad
Online Access:https://revistas.ues.edu.sv/index.php/launiversidad/article/view/213
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author Carrie L. Dennett
Lorelei Platz
Geoffrey G. McCafferty
author_facet Carrie L. Dennett
Lorelei Platz
Geoffrey G. McCafferty
author_sort Carrie L. Dennett
collection DOAJ
description Ceramic compositional analysis has begun to provide critical support in understanding ceramic economy, especially production and distribution strategies, and archaeological typology in Pacific Nicaragua that was previously based primarily on surface decoration. Here it presents preliminary results of an ongoing study exploring the paste composition of Tempisque period (500B.C.–A.D. 250) Izalco-style Usulután and Rosales Zoned Engraved ceramic types from the site of La Arenera. Findings suggest that Rosales wares were produced within Pacific Nicaragua but, based on petrological composition, were likely produced beyond the site itself. Further, all Usulután-like samples were likely produced within Pacific Nicaragua—a contradiction to our original hypothesis that some of the Usulután-like wares were imports from El Salvador and others locally made. Of particular interest is the presence of two discrete compositional paste types for the Nicaraguan-produced Usulután-like wares which indicate distinct and unrelated parent rock (and thus geological and geographical) sources for the clays and inclusions. In the final discussion we explore what the results of this preliminary analysis may intimate about the local ceramic economy of La Arenera and its broader external social connections.
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spelling doaj-art-d91a7838e5b044b8a5a53aa2b5a8df1b2025-08-20T02:11:31ZengUniversidad de El SalvadorLa Universidad0041-82423005-58572016-05-01414-15Preliminary ceramic compositional analysis from the La Arenera site, Pacific NicaraguaCarrie L. Dennett0Lorelei Platz1Geoffrey G. McCafferty2Universidad de El SalvadorUniversidad de El SalvadorUniversidad de CalgaryCeramic compositional analysis has begun to provide critical support in understanding ceramic economy, especially production and distribution strategies, and archaeological typology in Pacific Nicaragua that was previously based primarily on surface decoration. Here it presents preliminary results of an ongoing study exploring the paste composition of Tempisque period (500B.C.–A.D. 250) Izalco-style Usulután and Rosales Zoned Engraved ceramic types from the site of La Arenera. Findings suggest that Rosales wares were produced within Pacific Nicaragua but, based on petrological composition, were likely produced beyond the site itself. Further, all Usulután-like samples were likely produced within Pacific Nicaragua—a contradiction to our original hypothesis that some of the Usulután-like wares were imports from El Salvador and others locally made. Of particular interest is the presence of two discrete compositional paste types for the Nicaraguan-produced Usulután-like wares which indicate distinct and unrelated parent rock (and thus geological and geographical) sources for the clays and inclusions. In the final discussion we explore what the results of this preliminary analysis may intimate about the local ceramic economy of La Arenera and its broader external social connections. https://revistas.ues.edu.sv/index.php/launiversidad/article/view/213
spellingShingle Carrie L. Dennett
Lorelei Platz
Geoffrey G. McCafferty
Preliminary ceramic compositional analysis from the La Arenera site, Pacific Nicaragua
La Universidad
title Preliminary ceramic compositional analysis from the La Arenera site, Pacific Nicaragua
title_full Preliminary ceramic compositional analysis from the La Arenera site, Pacific Nicaragua
title_fullStr Preliminary ceramic compositional analysis from the La Arenera site, Pacific Nicaragua
title_full_unstemmed Preliminary ceramic compositional analysis from the La Arenera site, Pacific Nicaragua
title_short Preliminary ceramic compositional analysis from the La Arenera site, Pacific Nicaragua
title_sort preliminary ceramic compositional analysis from the la arenera site pacific nicaragua
url https://revistas.ues.edu.sv/index.php/launiversidad/article/view/213
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