A High-Resolution Chronology for the Palatial Complex of Xalla Combining a Bayesian Radiocarbon Model with Archaeomagnetic Ages

Summary

This is an abstract from the "The Palace of Xalla in Teotihuacan: A Possible Seat of Power in the Ancient Metropolis" session, at the 86th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

A high-resolution chronology for the palatial complex of Xalla, excavated by L. R. Manzanilla from 2000 to 2019, was constructed combining archaeomagnetic dates, a Bayesian radiocarbon model, and detailed information about sample type and archaeological context. The Bayesian model, calibrated using the Oxcal 4.3 program (Bronk Ramsey 2009) with the IntCal_13 calibration curve (Reimer et al. 2013), includes 42 radiocarbon ages grouped in 6 phases. The first group includes samples from the roofs of large precincts with ages earlier than expected for classic Teotihuacan period, suggesting a problem of inbuilt age (McFadgen 1982). The 11 archaeomagnetic ages were classified in unburned samples, related to the time of manufacture, and burned samples, related to fires either by rituals or during the Big Fire associated with the abandonment of the site. The calibrated ages have more precise intervals, allowing to distinguish different phases. By contrasting with the archaeomagnetic ages, it was possible to identify the different construction phases and to confirm that big beams had inbuilt ages ranging between 50 and 250 years. It is concluded that by combining these two dating methods and understanding the moment that each sample type is dating, it is possible to obtain solid and precise chronologies.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 86th Annual Meeting, Online (2021)   •
• The Palace of Xalla in Teotihuacan: A Possible Seat of Power in the Ancient Metropolis

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 32202