Architecture and Figurine art in Central Veracruz

Summary

Terracotta figurine offerings as part of construction deposits are one of the traits that characterize the Classic period Central Veracruz culture. They are recurrent in both modest and monumental architecture, in sites of all ranks. In this they differ from ceramic figurine use in contemporary cultures, where they belong to the domestic and/or funerary sphere. This paper presents a case study on a series of figurine deposits of a palatial residence of the archaeological site of La Joya, showing that the qualities of size and finish and the form of disposing of the figurines will vary according to whether the deposit is placed at initial construction, rebuilding, or as part of a termination offering, reflecting different forms of ritual practice. An initial comparative analysis will evaluate if these patterns apply to other cases within the same culture area.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 15622