Ancestors and the Power of Ruins in Nejapa and Tavela, Oaxaca

Summary

This is an abstract from the "The Vibrancy of Ruins: Ruination Studies in Ancient Mesoamerica" session, at the 88th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

There are numerous examples across the Nejapa region of Oaxaca that demonstrate the ways archaeological ruins retain meaning and power through time. This paper highlights ruins in the sites of Majaltepec, Los Picachos, Cerro del Convento, Hacienda San José, and the modern town of Santa Ana Tavela to show how ruined, abandoned places—whether located in the remote wilderness or in the middle of urban areas—were never really considered to be unoccupied or uninhabited space. Based on research in Nejapa and Tavela, ruins are often considered to retain vibrancy and are (and were) typically treated respectfully and carefully. Some, like Los Picachos and Cerro del Convento, were charged with spiritual valency that required petitions, which were made visible in the form of people placing offerings at the site. Other long-abandoned buildings, including the Hacienda San José and a prominent house in contemporary Tavela, require avoidance even though their owners have long since passed away. Part of what makes all these ruins powerful and meaningful is their association with difficult historical events and with ancestors generally, which gives them spiritual potency.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• The Vibrancy of Ruins: Ruination Studies in Ancient Mesoamerica   •
• Society for American Archaeology 88th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR (2023)

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Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 35687.0