Exploring the peripheries of the World-System: Historical archaeology of the Cathedral of Comayagua, Honduras (1650 – 1890 C.E.)

Abstract

This research deals with the study of ceramic material recovered from the Patio de Los Naranjos, Comayagua Cathedral, in Comayagua, Honduras. The objective of this research is twofold: first, to highlight the wider historical context in which the imported ceramics were produced and traded; the economic factors affecting the production, distribution and exchange of these artifacts: and second, to explore the presence of a local glazed ceramic industry in the city of Comayagua. The ceramic material from the cathedral site provides insights into the trade patterns and socio-economic relations developed between core and peripheral areas during colonial and early post-independence times. The ceramic material is analyzed under the scope of world systems theory. The use of world systems theory will be helpful to illustrate the logic of commercial interaction within a colonial economic system based on unequal exchange between the core, which controls the patterns of production and trade, and the peripheral areas, which provide raw materials and goods whose labor is less well rewarded that the ones in the core area. At the same time, this research challenges some of the assumptions of the theory.