The People's Response to Change: Settlement Patterns During the Classic-Postclassic Transition in the Puebla-Tlaxcala Valley, Mexico

Summary

The Puebla-Tlaxcala Valley in Central Mexico went through significant settlement, economic, and political shifts during the Classic-Postclassic transition, yet there is no clear picture of what happened during the Epiclassic (600-900CE) or the Early Postclassic (900-1250CE) outside of large primary sites such as Cacaxtla and Cholula. A multi-faceted study was developed to target this issue, with a particular focus on rural sites that supported known large centers. Since the early years of archaeology, settlement pattern studies provide a regional perspective necessary to fully comprehend the social, economic, and political dynamics of a particular society. Based upon surveys conducted in the 1960s and 70s, presented here are the results of a key-site survey of 20, small, mid-level, and large sites in the Puebla-Tlaxcala Valley and the analysis of site associated surface material. This survey provides a foundational step in the overall goal of anchoring the chronology, exchange networks, and understanding of the overall development of the region during a time of strong social, ecological, and economic fluctuation.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 22484