Monte Alban Periphery (oaxaca, Middle Mesoamerica): New Evidences on the Early Occupation Trough Archaeomagnetic Study of Pottery Kilns

Aimed to obtain absolute chronology data for the early stage of Monte Alban, magnetic mineralogy and archaeomagnetic investigation were carried out of recently discovered pottery kilns. Oriented samples belong to four rectangular kilns, both single and double chambers, and one fire pit at the piedmont peripherical area. Susceptibility vs. temperature curves show market thermal instability while large pseudo-single domain grains seem to carry the major part of remanence for the kiln sample. Fire pit samples, in contrast, seem to be domi-nated by antiferromagnetic hematite. Alternating field demagnetization allowed to reach primary, characteristic magnetization components with reasonably well-defined mean archaeodirections. Possible archaeomagnetic age intervals were obtained considering currently available global models and local curves. The dates are consistent with the most important periods of occupation at the site, although the results may indicate that there was also a significant cultural presence in the Early Classic Period. Recently discovered kilns indicate constant manufacture of pottery. Although we cannot currently define the intensity of production, we believe that pottery could be a specialized activity in peripherical areas of Monte Alban to exchange ceramics or for its local consumption. Consequently, we propose that the piedmont area was an economically autonomous community whose in-habitants dedicated themselves to various tasks throughout their occupation.