5 Scaling Centers and Commerce in Preclassic and Late Classic Settlements in South‐Central Veracruz

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alanna Ossa
Keyword(s):  
Late Classic ◽  
South Central

Posthumous Body Manipulation in the Classic Period Mixtequilla: Reevaluating the Human Remains of Ossuary I from El Zapotal, Veracruz

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Tiesler ◽  
Arturo Romano-Pacheco ◽  
Jorge Gómez-Valdés ◽  
Annick Daneels
Keyword(s):  
Classic Period ◽  
Late Classic ◽  
Depositional Sequence ◽  
South Central ◽  
New Information ◽  
Age Profile ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Interdisciplinary Study ◽  
Original Interpretation ◽  
Number Of Individuals

Our interdisciplinary study provides new information and interpretations of Ossuary I, a large assemblage of human bones associated with the ceremonial center dedicated to a life-size clay figure of a splendidly attired human skeleton (often identified as Mictlantecuhtli in the archaeological literature) at the site of El Zapotal in south-central Veracruz-Recovered in 1971, this assemblage has been interpreted as a ritual deposit of women who died during childbirth, whose bodies were dedicated in later Aztec lore to the Tlazolteotl goddess. The present paper provides new insights into the depositional sequence, the type and number of individuals within the assemblage, the sex and age profile of the mostly female cohort, the distribution of artificial head shapes as an ethnic marker, and evidence of perimortem violence and postmortem processing in the form of flaying. Our evidence indicates that Ossuary I represents the slow accumulation of loose bones and limb segments of partially skinned individuals in a circular shaft. Postdating the functioning of the Death God adoratorio and showing fluctuations in the patterns of pre-depositional body treatment, the assemblage expresses the Late Classic period ritual practice of flaying both males and females in Veracruz. In later stages, the ossuary was used again for a female cult, consistent with the original interpretation of women who died during childbirth.

ANCIENT MAYA SETTLEMENT, INTERACTION SPHERES, AND GEOPOLITICS IN SOUTH-CENTRAL QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 441-461
Author(s):  
Laura P. Villamil ◽  
R. Jason Sherman
Keyword(s):  
Quintana Roo ◽  
Ancient Maya ◽  
Late Classic ◽  
Monumental Architecture ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Terminal Classic ◽  
South Central ◽  
Interaction Spheres ◽  
Middle Preclassic ◽  
Maya Site

AbstractThis paper presents the results of investigations at the ancient Maya site of Margarita in south-central Quintana Roo, Mexico, and relates them to documented patterns at neighboring centers. Following initial settlement of the region in the Middle Preclassic, settlement hierarchies topped by large centers with monumental architecture, carved monuments, and associations with sites to the south emerged in the Late Preclassic to Early Classic periods. In the Late Classic, several primary centers declined and there was a proliferation of affluent urban populations—evidenced by construction of elaborate residential groups—at smaller centers like Margarita. Long-distance cultural affiliations shifted as well, with ceramic and architectural links to western and northern Yucatán becoming pronounced. Many settlements were abandoned in the Terminal Classic, but there is also evidence of the formation of “post-collapse” communities at Margarita and other neighboring sites during the same period.

Evaluation of Systematic Surface Evidence for Pottery Production in Veracruz, Mexico

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara L. Stark ◽  
Christopher P. Garraty
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Clustering ◽  
Sampling Error ◽  
Pottery Production ◽  
Late Classic ◽  
High Frequencies ◽  
South Central ◽  
Late Postclassic ◽  
Standard Set ◽  
Analytical Approaches

AbstractSurvey-based analyses have used varied criteria to detect locations of pottery production in the Gulf lowlands of south-central and southern Veracruz, Mexico. A common practice uses double criteria: high frequencies or high densities of particular kinds of pottery in conjunction with highly reliable indicators, such as kiln fragments. Reliable indicators are relatively scarce, however, and subject to sampling error. Two previous analytical approaches each present problems with respect to threshold values for applying the density and frequency criteria, and a more standard set of procedures is suggested. An alternative criterion using spatial clustering helps reduce susceptibility to sampling error from infrequent finds such as deformed wasters or kiln fragments. In a case study, two newly detected locations of possible pottery production result from application of the alternative double criteria. With incorporation of these new data, changes in Gulf lowland pottery production over time are compatible with a growing role for specialization and marketing, especially from the Late Classic to the Late Postclassic periods. The examination and application of criteria for identifying possible locations of pottery production are important for harnessing the potential of systematic survey and surface collection for studies of economic change.

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