The Obsidian Artifacts of Nim Li Punit, Belize: Procurement and Production at a Terminal Preclassic to Terminal Classic (ca. AD 150–850) Capital in the Southeastern Maya Periphery

Since 2001, I have conducted archaeological research at three of the five major Classic Maya sites of inland Toledo District, Belize. The sites are so close together that we must ask if they were parts of the same kingdom or were all separate polities with distinct local economies. I present data concerning obsidian procurement at Nim li Punit, Pusilha, and Lubaantun relevant to this question. Results demonstrate overlapping yet distinct procurement systems and imply the existence of different bounded markets and polities within a frontier zone.