essay

Chalcatzingo in in a broader perspective

ancient chalcatzingo • Austin • Published In 1987 • Pages: 434-442

By: Grove, David C..

Abstract

Grove systematically considers the place of the site of Chalcatzingo in a wider interaction sphere, beginning with typically highland Early Formative period cultural origins. A summary of the Middle Formative period evidence for cultural connections to Gulf Coast Olmec centers (esp. La Venta), emphasizes particular ceramic traits, long-distance exchange of jade, and novel types of public and religious architecture. But most striking are monumental stone carvings, unprecedented in the highlands, that embody an Olmec 'frontier art style' almost certainly learned in the Olmec heartland and brought to 'frontier sites' like Chalcatzingo. The didactic nature of the content and arrangement of such monuments indicates a proselytizing, even propagandistic, message promoted by local elites seeking to elevate their own status, and/or by lowland Olmec colonists seeking to gain influence within alien societies. Whether Olmec cultural influence outside of the heartland can be attributed to religious, military, or economic expansionism remains inconclusive, though a consistent explanation for Chalcatzingo is that it functioned as a 'gateway community,' channeling raw materials from a broad highland area to the Gulf Coast, and distributing finished goods in the other direction.

HRAF PubDate

2000

Region

Middle America and the Caribbean

Sub Region

Central Mexico

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Archaeologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Leon G. Doyon ; 2006

Field Date

1972-1976

Coverage Date

3500 BP-2500 BP

Coverage Place

Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama (Mesoamerica)

Notes

David C. Grove

For bibliographical references see Grove: 1987 (Document 3)

LCCN

85022673

LCSH

Olmecs