Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Union Laguna




Sunday was a big day in San José Laguna as our baseball team debuted new uniforms. That, along with the fact that the local talent pool was diluted by having three teams, now combined into one, may explain why we are actually winning games this season.

El domingo fue un día importante en San José Laguna porque nuestro equipo de beisbol estreno nuevas uniformes. Junto con el hecho de que los tres equipos locales ahora son uno solo, esto tal vez explique porque por fin vamos ganando esta temorada.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Puro Maguey




Estamos realizando un estudio experimental de raspadores de obsidiana este año, lo cual formará la base de la tesis de maestría de Carl Anthony Smith. Anthony y yo tallamos una docena de raspadores, intentando de replicar las formas de los ejemplos que encontramos en La Laguna. Con la ayuda de un pulquero moderno, Anthony está comparando que tal funcionan las replicas en comparación a una cuchara de hierro, usado actualmente para sacar aguamiel. Hasta el momento, parece que el hierro es superior para piñas maduras, pero los raspadores de obsidiana funcionan bien con una piña tiernita. En los meses que entran Anthony va a compara las huellas de uso en las replicas, con otras siendo usado para raspar madera y cuero. Esperemos que esto nos permita averiguar los usos de tales artefactos en el sitio. Por lo menos, es divertido raspar las plantas…y saborear sus productos!

We are undertaking an experimental study of obsidian scrapers this year, which will serve as the basis of the MA thesis for Carl Anthony Smith. Anthony and I knapped a dozen scrapers, attempting to replicate the forms seen archaeologically at La Laguna. With the gracious assistance of a modern pulque producer, Anthony is comparing how the replicas fare compared to an iron scraper—used today for extracting maguey sap. So far, it looks like the iron is significantly better for older magueys, but the obsidian ones do quite well for newly cut plants. In the months to come Anthony will compare use-wear patterns on the replicas, which he is also using on wood and hides. We hope that his study will allow us to understand how scrapers were used by La Laguna’s ancient inhabitants. At the very least, we’re having fun scraping plants…and tasting the results!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Copa Mundial


This was a purely Mexico moment in the field last week. The van battery died due to the radio having been on for hours of World Cup action while we were working at the site. Luckily we had some engineers with us to bring the van back to life using the two batteries from the ground-penetrating radar. ¡Si se puede!

Monday, June 14, 2010

PALL 2010



¡El PALL 2010 se ha arrancado! Las investigaciones han comenzado en forma de la prospección geofísica, realizada por el equipo del Laboratorio de Arqueometría del IIA/UNAM. Exploramos cuatro áreas del centro del sitio usando el gradiente magnético y el radar de subsuelo en anticipación de excavaciones horizontales en por lo menos tres de ellos. Incluyen dos de los montículos principales del sitio—las Estructuras 12M-1 y 13M-1, cuales probablemente representen los basamentos de templos—el lado este de la cancha del juego de pelota, donde contacta con la plaza central, y el área abierta entre las Estructuras 12L-1 y 12M-1. Este último es de mayor interés porque la prospección de 2008 detectó dos anomalías cuales pueden representar estructuras no visibles desde la superficie. Un tema de interés para la temporada es si la zona central del sitio fue habitado o si fue dedicada de manera exclusiva a las actividades comunitarias y estas estructuras parecen ser los mejores candidatos para residencias que hemos detectado por la geofísica. Alternativas incluyen que representan altares para rituales públicos o estructuras para la preparación o el almacenamiento de comida, entre otras posibilidades. A través de las excavaciones esperamos aclarar este asunto y seguir reconstruyendo los rituales públicos en La Laguna y las razones para el abandono de la comunidad.


PALL 2010 is underway! Investigations have begun with geophysical survey, led by the Archeometry Lab of Mexico’s National University (UNAM). We have explored four areas of the center of the site using magnetic gradient and ground-penetrating radar in anticipation of starting horizontal exposures in at least three of them. These areas include two of the main mounds at the site—Structures 12M-1 and 13M-1, which were likely the stone platforms of temples—the eastern side of the ball court, where it connects with the main plaza, and the open area between Structures 12L-1 and 12M-1. This last area is of significant interest because the remote-sensing program of 2008 detected subsurface anomalies that appear to be buried structures, not visible from the surface. A major research interest for this season is to determine whether the center of the site included (likely elite) residences, or if it was dedicated exclusively to community activities. These structures seem the most likely candidates to have served as residences of those we have encountered in our surface and subsurface surveys of the site center. Alternative possibilities include their having served as altars used in public rituals or as buildings for the preparation or storage of food, among others. Through our excavations we hope to resolve this issue and continue reconstructing the public ritual life of the La Laguna community and the reasons that it was abandoned.