essay

Chalcatzingo burials as indicators of social ranking

ancient chalcatzingo • Austin • Published In 1987 • Pages: 95-113

By: Merry de Morales, Marcia.

Abstract

Merry de Morales interprets the raw data on human burials provided in Merry de Morales: 1987 (Document 34) to assess social ranking at the Olmec-influenced highland site of Chalcatzingo. Significant indicators of rank are found to be grave location (public and ritual space versus domestic space), type (full stone crypt, graves with some stone lining, and simple pit burials), and treatment of the corpse with hematite pigment. The presence and placement of furnishings is also important, if less discrete: jade/greenstone objects (mostly jewelry but rarely worn by the deceased) and ceramic vessels (especially censers, and jars placed within shallow bowls). Detailed descriptions are given of burials by phase or period (the overwhelming majority Middle Formative period Cantera phase), and according to context and associations. The work concludes with comparisons to relatively scarce Gulf Coast Olmec mortuary evidence, demonstrating shared traits among elites, who at Chalcatzingo may even have been leaders sent from the coast (perhaps from the dominant site at that time, La Venta) to rule an otherwise culturally distinctive native population.

HRAF PubDate

2000

Region

Middle America and the Caribbean

Sub Region

Central Mexico

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Leon G. Doyon ; 2007

Field Date

1972-1976

Coverage Date

3100 BP-2500 BP.

Coverage Place

Chalcatzingo, Morelos State, Mexico

Notes

Marcia Merry de Morales

crypts, stone - use 'BURIAL PRACTICES AND FUNERALS (764)' and 'MASONRY (333)'; hematite pigment - use 'PERSONAL GROOMING (302)' or 'PAINT AND DYE MANUFACTURE (386)'

For bibliographical references see Grove: 1987 (Document 3)

LCCN

85022673

LCSH

Olmecs