Cremation Mortuary Ritual among the Classic Period Hohokam and Trincheras Traditions

Summary

Cremation and related fiery rituals performed by Phoenix and Tucson Basin Hohokam in Southern Arizona and Trincheras Tradition populations in Northern Sonora are examined and contrasted in order to understand different regional spheres of social interactions. These were done by examine biological profiles and posthumous treatments of individuals to better understand who they were and how they were treated at death in the Classic Period (A.D. 1150-1450/1500). These data were compared between sites and at a regional level using quantitative and qualitative data. Preliminary results suggest major differences in cremation mortuary and fiery rituals between the Hohokam of the Phoenix and Tucson Basins. However, similarities were found between the Tucson Basin Hohokam and the Trincheras Traditions on how individuals were treated at death by their peers. These similarities suggest stronger spheres of interaction than previously envisioned between these regions that could possibly relate to shared perceptions of the human body and ideologies related to the use of fire and pyrotechnologies.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Walls, Mounds, and Pots: Examining the Classic Period Hohokam

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 17489