September 7, 2015

Widespread Caffeine Trade Between Ancient Southwest and Mesoamerica Found

Researchers analyzed 177 samples of pottery from ancient Colorado to Chihuahua spanning 750-1400 CE. 22% of the ceramics contained either cacao or the “black drink” that was made from yaupon holly. Yaupon holly is highly caffeinated. Both ingredients were grown in Mesoamerica and the Gulf Coast. It does not grow in the Southwest. The sites included Chaco’s Chetro Ketl, Snaketown in Arizona and Windy Knob in Colorado. This study shows prolonged and sustained contact with Mesoamerica.
Crown and Hurst report their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Western Digs has the story here;
http://westerndigs.org/use-of-cocoa-black-drink-widespread-in-pre-contact-southwest-study-finds/

Mike Ruggeri’s Aztlan World
http://mikeruggerisaztlanworld.tumblr.com