Geochemical Provenancing of Volcanic Stone Statuettes and its Implications for Pre-Colonial Microregional Mobility in Southern Honduras (AD 1000–1520)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The Isthmo-Colombian Area experienced a notable increase in the production of symbolic volcanic-stone objects between AD 500 and 1550. Among these, portable stone statuettes are closely associated with ceremonial practices but lack controlled archaeological contexts, making material characterization essential for understanding their selection, manufacture, and circulation. Non-destructive energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) provides an effective means of analysing such artifacts and assessing their geological origins while preserving their integrity. This study applies pXRF to 18 stone statuettes from southern Honduras, alongside geological samples collected from major volcanic outcrops in the region to (1) identify the raw materials selected by artisans, (2) explore the distribution and circulation of these objects, and (3) propose potential source areas for their production. Results indicate that all statuettes were carved from volcanic rocks of rhyolitic to dacitic composition and cluster into three distinct geochemical groups. Two groups correspond closely with specific geological localities, while the third likely reflects non-local sources. These findings constitute the first geochemical evidence for both localized raw material selection and broader regional interactions, offering new insights into the social significance, mobility, and ritual roles of stone statuettes in southern Honduras.
Source: Open Archaeology
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $848
OpenAlex ID: W7213536575