Page 71 - Encyclopedia Of World History Vol V

1848 berkshire encyclopedia of world history

Solomou, S. (1998). Economic cycles: Long cycles and business cycles first traded in the Paleoindian period. Obsidian occurs
since 1870. Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press.
geologically in only a limited number of mountainous
areas in western North America, Mesoamerica, and the
Andes. Each source area has a distinctive chemical “fin-
gerprint” in the occurrence and quantity of trace ele-
Trading Patterns, ments.When subjected to any of a number of analytical

techniques for measuring trace elements, an obsidian arti-
Ancient American fact’s geological place of origin can be traced.
In most parts of the New World, the Paleoindian
he native peoples of the New World exhibited a great period was followed by the Archaic period (starting c.
Tdiversity of trading patterns before the European 8000 BCE and ending at different times in different
invasion. In most ancient American societies, trade and areas).This was a time of growing populations, increased
exchange were strongly embedded within social institu- reliance upon plant foods, and growing technological
tions and practices.The long-distance trade identified by sophistication. In Mesoamerica, the Andes, and the Ama-
archaeologists was typically only one component of zon, plants and animals were domesticated at this time.
wider processes of social interaction that included The Archaic period furnishes evidence of increasing long-
exchanges of ideas and information, warfare and diplo- distance trade of stone tools. Although the evidence for
macy, marriage alliances, and migrations of peoples. trade is clear in the Paleoindian and Archaic periods, the
Trade assumed an independent commercial status only overall volume of exchange was low and people obtained
among the late states of Mesoamerica (Mexico and north- most goods in their local area.Trade was probably organ-
ern Central America). Nevertheless, trade was widely ized in what archaeologists call “down-the-line trade,” in
practiced in all parts of the ancient New World, among which trade goods move through reciprocal exchange
societies of all levels of social complexity, from the earli- from group to group without merchants or long-distance
est hunters and gatherers to late prehistoric empires like exchange expeditions.
the Aztec and Inca.
North America
Earliest Inhabitants The roster of North American long-distance trade goods
The timing of the initial migrations to the New World is increased dramatically with the end of the Archaic period
a topic of considerable debate. Regardless of their actual to include marine shell, ceramics, and objects made of
age, however, the earliest archaeological sites in North copper, galena, obsidian, and other types of exotic stone.
and South America provide evidence for a low level of The frequencies of imported goods were typically much
long-distance trade. During this time, known as the Pale- higher than in Paleoindian and Archaic times. Obsidian
oindian period (c. 15,000 BCE–8000 BCE), small bands found at sites in eastern North America and marine shell
of hunters and gatherers traded projectile points and ornaments at sites far inland show trade over long dis-
other tools made of high-quality cherts and other varieties tances. Several later cultures are noteworthy for high
of stone over moderate distances. The finely made and quantities of imported goods. The Hopewell culture of
distinctive Clovis spear points were used over much of the North American Midwest, for example, is best known
North America. These objects were made separately in for its elaborate public ceremonialism centered on
many regions, and their similarities derive from a com- earthen mounds and open plazas. Some Hopewell buri-
mon technology that points to long-distance interaction als and other offerings contained thousands of orna-
throughout North America. Obsidian, a volcanic glass ments and other finely crafted objects, many of which
from which extremely sharp cutting tools were made, was were imported from great distances. Imported burial