Book
The archaeology of San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán
In the land of the Olmec • 1 • Published In 1980 • Pages: viii, 416
By: Coe, Michael D., Diehl, Richard A..
Abstract
This detailed site report for San Lorenzo is the singular, seminal reference of its kind for the Olmec heartland. Coe and Diehl consider only the Early Formative period San Lorenzo phase to be truly 'Olmec' (3150 B.P.-2900 B.P); certainly the peak of influence for this important cultural center. The authors acknowledge that the preceding Chicharras phase ceramic assemblage is largely identical to the San Lorenzo phase, that monumental stone sculpture is present--some of it possibly in high Olmec style--and that the massive undertaking of creating an enormous artificial plateau for the site was probably well under way. They make the case that the Nacaste phase marks foreign intrusion at the end of the San Lorenzo phase, with but a few, decadent, Olmec traits remaining. The subsequent Palangana phase, however, could signal a minor, provincial Olmec (re)settlement, despite exhibiting effectively no evidence of high Olmec style other than refurbishing of the earthen mound architecture. This work covers nearly every aspect of the 1964-1970 project, from survey through analysis, but the most extensive and notable sections of the text are the descriptions of the excavations, the ceramic seriation, and the catalogue of carved stone monuments.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2000
- Region
- Middle America and the Caribbean
- Sub Region
- Central Mexico
- Document Type
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Archaeologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Leon G. Doyon ; 2006
- Field Date
- 1964-1970
- Coverage Date
- 3500 BP-2400 BP
- Coverage Place
- San Lorenzo, Southern Veracruz State, Mexico
- Notes
- by Michael D. Coe and Richard A. Diehl
- 'benches,' stone - use 'FURNITURE (352)' and 'MISCELLANEOUS BUILDING EQUIPMENT (355)'
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 405-409) and index
- LCCN
- 79017167
- LCSH
- Olmecs/San Lorenzo Tenochtitlán site/Coatzacoalcos region, Mexico--Social life and customs