The Political and Economic Power of Lithic Artifacts of Obsidian of the valley of Copán and the region of the Entrance, Honduras

Abstract

This study sheds some light on the discussion about the nature of ancient Mesoamerican urbanism. The results of this research suggests that the management of the procurement and exchange of pre-worked obsidian polyhedral cores from Ixtepeque, accompanied by other factors, played a significant role in the development and maintenance of the Classic state of Copan. The royal court institutionalized the intra- and inter- procurement and distribution systems for at least one utilitarian commodity as part of the political or public economy. The long-distance exchange of small amounts of elite commodities such as finished artifacts made of green obsidian was mostly of social and symbolic importance rather than economic during the Early Classic period. The emergent elites of the Copan valley participated in long-distance exchange networks with the objective of legitimizing their authority and political power. However, local level exchange was more critical for the development of the state than the long- distance one.