essay
The altar and associated features
ancient chalcatzingo • Austin • Published In 1987 • Pages: 82-94
By: Fash, William Leonard.
Abstract
Fash provides detail on the construction of a patio area at Chalcatzingo with a stone altar on a terrace wall depicting an earth-monster deity, analogous to the monolithic altars/thrones of the Olmec core area. Similar to those mostly earlier Gulf Coast monuments that may have been ritually mutilated and buried or recycled upon the ruler's death, this highland 'altar' appears to have been periodically reconstructed, perhaps for the same reason. Associated burials of presumably special status and possible evidence of human sacrifice are used to suggest related patterns on the Gulf Coast where human remains generally do not survive and few graves have been identified. An addition to the terrace for a structure with an associated stela late in the Cantera phase (2700-2500 B.P.) may be a ruler's residence.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2000
- Region
- Middle America and the Caribbean
- Sub Region
- Central Mexico
- Document Type
- essay
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Archaeologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Leon G. Doyon ; 2006
- Field Date
- 1972-1976
- Coverage Date
- 3100 BP-2500 BP
- Coverage Place
- Chalcatzingo, Morelos State, Mexico
- Notes
- William Fash, Jr.
- For bibliographical references see Grove: 1987 (Document 3)
- LCCN
- 85022673
- LCSH
- Olmecs