Economy is defined to have the most influence over a culture because it is defined as the production, distribution, and consumption of a culture.
2. What archaeological remains were found in Copan that are associated with craft-specialization? Who were these craft-specialists? How can archaeologists tell this?
Archaeological remains that were found in Copan that are associated with craft-specialization was their workshop which was sealed in time because of an earthquake. What was found in there were shells, jade, ceramics, bone tools, chisels, obsidian saw blades, and pacobs. These craft specialists were a part of the nobility of Copan. Archaeologists can tell this because they found bodies under the floor in the workshop. These bodies had the bone wear of craft specialists, but they had bound head skull structure of an elite. This type of skull structure …show more content…
For example, obsidian blades were able to reach more areas than manos and mutates because they were lighter and easier to transport. Manos and mutates would be an example of the worst kinds of goods because they were location specific goods (Copan). Archaeologists probably will never find a Copan mano and mutate outside of their region because production was localized and dominated by elites. However, that is why in the case of the Teotihuacan obsidian blades, they were the best kind of goods to trade because not only were they light and easy to transport, they were something that was in demand. Blades were crucial in ancient Mesoamerica because they were used for either hunting, butchery, ritual sacrifice, etc. Also, Teotihuacan obsidian blades were sought after because of their unique gold greenish color. That is why archaeologists have found obsidian blades that were made in Teotihuacan in other Mesoamerican sites because they were in high