Application of Stable Isotope Analysis to Questions of Status Formation and Dietary Disparities at Chalcatzingo, Morelos, Mexico

Summary

The Formative period site of Chalcatzingo in Morelos, Mexico (1150-450 BCE) represents a socially complex society and contains the only Olmec-style monumental architecture in the region. Evidence for social stratification at Chalcatzingo includes differences in burial location and unequal distribution of rare artifacts. Significant debate surrounds the potential Olmec cultural influence on status formation and social stratification throughout Formative period Mesoamerica. Some scholars hypothesize that Gulf Coast elites migrated inland bringing Olmec culture and social stratification with them. Because oxygen stable isotope values have been usefully applied to migration studies, oxygen stable isotope values of the human remains at Chalcatzingo will be used assess whether individuals were local to Chalcatzingo or emigrated from the Gulf Coast region. Archaeological and isotopic evidence from ancient Mesoamerica supports the idea that differential access to preferred food resources - particularly animal protein and maize - is characteristic of social inequality. Because there is evidence for social stratification at Chalcatzingo, unequal distribution of animal protein and maize is expected. Carbon and Nitrogen isotope analyses were performed on the human remains and subsequently compared to status indicators in the archaeological record. Preliminary data suggests that elites were consuming slightly more animal protein and maize than non-elites.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

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

Keywords

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