essay

Distributional analysis of Chalcatzingo figurines

ancient chalcatzingo • Austin • Published In 1987 • Pages: 264-270

By: Gillespie, Susan D..

Abstract

Gillespie analyzes the distribution of ceramic figurine types within and between sites in the Río Amatzinac Valley , concentrating on the large and stratigraphically excavated sample from Olmec-influence site of Chalcatzingo. Early Formative period Type C9 Olmec style 'baby-face' figurines are rare and not specifically discussed. Distinctively local Type C8 are most common at the site, and it would appear that they occur in generally higher frequency in what is thought to be public architecture. A high correlation of occurence between Type C8 and the more stylized Type Ch 1-2, along with a somewhat distinctive spatial distribution between public/elite and common/domestic contexts, leads to the hypothesis that (much like the two distinctive series of Olmec-style carved stone monuments at Chalcatzingo) these figurines functioned in related aspects of a 'Cult of the Ruler': Type C8 in an elite-controlled ritual adopted from the coastal Olmec and Type Ch 1-2 in an adaptation of an extant highland popular cult.

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 ; 2007

Field Date

1972-1976

Coverage Date

3500 BP-2500 BP

Coverage Place

Río Amatzinac Valley, Morelos State, Mexico

Notes

Susan D. Gillespie

For bibliographical references see Grove: 1987 (Document 3)

LCCN

85022673

LCSH

Olmecs