Advances in Puebla/Tlaxcala Archaeology

This collection contains the abstracts of the papers presented in the session entitled "Advances in Puebla/Tlaxcala Archaeology" at the 88th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The Puebla/Tlaxcala valley has often been characterized as a crossroads connecting the Gulf Coast, the Basin of Mexico, and the southern highlands of Oaxaca. As such, it has been a cultural palimpsest over its long history with influences from many areas and a hub for long-distance trade. Nevertheless, research in Puebla/Tlaxcala has lagged behind neighboring regions. Thankfully, however, archaeological (and other) investigations have increased in recent years, such that important new discoveries and interpretations are being made. Papers in this session will sample some of the diverse research programs currently underway, including investigations in the Cholula ceremonial center, Postclassic and colonial period excavations in Puebla city and Tlaxcala, art historical interpretations of relevant pictorial manuscripts, and carved human skulls from southern Puebla and Oaxaca. The goal of this session is to introduce recent advances as well as promote dialogue among active researchers and the audience.