Public Space, Sacred Place: Early Monumental Architecture and Corporate Identity in the Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca

Summary

The Early Formative evinces the emergence of public space, and more complex communities, in Mesoamerica. Previous archaeological research at the site of Etlatongo, Oaxaca, Mexico, identified a large village during the late Early Formative/Cruz B phase (1200/1150 – 850 BC), including an area tentatively identified as early public space. The Formative Etlatongo Project has concluded three seasons, from 2015 – 2017, of large-scale excavations, confirming the identification of public space in the southern portion of the site. More specifically, this public space was focused during the Cruz B phase on two iterations of a ballcourt. We interpret the constructions of this ballcourt as a kind of public space that both linked emerging communal identity with socio-political complexity. Very specific kinds of materials were deposited in this public space; both these deposits, as well as the probable activities that occurred, transformed this into a sacred place, one that resonated beyond the Cruz B phase. The construction, subsequent maintenance and renovations reflect the collective effort of different social actors and corporate entities in the transformation of society at Early Formative Etlatongo.

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): 21392