The socio-economic landscape of the Postclassic site La Libertad, Soconusco, Mexico

Summary

This study explores the case of La Libertad, a secondary site located on the southern section of the Soconusco’s coastal plain, probably belonging to the Ayutla polity. The ceramic fragments collected systematically across the entire site are used here as a material correlate to explore expressions of hierarchy. The characteristics of the ceramic collection and the methodology used to recover the materials provide an ideal setting to study spatial patterns of distribution and the concentration of specific groups of material. I analyzed the Late Postclassic ceramics recovered from La Libertad site in terms of the spatial distribution, characteristics, and diversity of functional and stylistic types. I emphasize the spatial distribution of functional and stylistic inventories with the purpose of highlighting areas of markers of elite activities or differential use of the space. Regional comparisons of stylistic types are employed as a way to understand movement of artifacts and ideas, inter-regionally and extra- regionally. These analyses were developed with the purpose of understanding the differential use of space related to the concentration of high-status activities, including the production of food, consumption of luxury items, and the feasting landscape of La Libertad site.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage