Mountain Towns and Crossroads: Archaeology of the Sierra Sur of Oaxaca, Mexico

The goal of this session is to bring together and share information coming from archaeological research in the Sierra Sur of Oaxaca, Mexico. For over half a century, archaeologists have focused research on the Valley of Oaxaca and the coastal lowlands when reconstructing the complex prehispanic history of Southern Mexico. Often left out of the dominant narrative of ancient Oaxaca, the story of the Sierra Sur is important to consider as it provides a broader context for theories of social complexity, conquest and colonialism, migration, and economics. Emerging narratives developing out of data generated from fieldwork in the Sierra Sur of Oaxaca suggest that we should continue to reevaluate our current narratives, which are based on research primarily from the Valley of Oaxaca and coastal regions. By bringing together researchers working in the Sierra Sur region, this session will bring attention to this region and enrich our understanding of Southern Mexico as a whole.