| The long-term development of complexity in human society creates demand for labor and surplus production. In the case of state formation, new governmental and social institutions increase demand for labor and surplus production significantly. Increased demand in turn brings in its wake changes in household strategies and regional economic systems. These processes of household change and regional economic reorganization involve several key factors that may include: (1) intensification of agricultural production, (2) population growth, (3) changes in land tenure, (4) increasing urbanization, and (5) a growth in craft specialization. In this dissertation I rely on an existing model that shows how these five factors interact to produce an increase in the regional division of labor. Judging from comparative literature reviewed below this division of labor is marked by agricultural intensification on highly productive land, a combination of part-time farming and intensive handicraft production in agriculturally less productive areas, and specialization in craft production, government service, construction of public buildings and private residences, and trading in urban centers.; In this dissertation, I focus attention on intensive handicraft production, which is part of craft specialization. Other parts of this model have been addressed by previous research (e.g., Blanton 1978; Blanton et al. 1993; Kowalewski et al. 1989). I propose that intensive handicraft production is an important aspect of economic activity of communities located in the agriculturally challenged Tlacolula arm of the Valley of Oaxaca. I tested this hypothesis using intensive site survey at four archaeological sites in this sub-region. My results indicate that the model accurately predicted the presence of intensive handicraft production at only two sites and, therefore, requires refinement. These sites are Llily Gueeubin, occupied during Monte Alban V, and Gaii Guii, primarily occupied during Monte Alban IIIb through early Monte Alban V. While not all sites showed evidence of intensive handicraft production, all appear to have been part of a regional system, which is marked by a regional division of labor and craft specialization. |
