Chemical Analyses of Activity Areas at Cueva de las Varillas in Teotihuacan

Summary

This is an abstract from the "What Happened after the Fall of Teotihuacan?" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

We present the chemical analysis of human activities in a cave occupied during the Epiclassic and Postclassic periods (AD 600–1500) at Teotihuacan. The archaeological context is formed by different cultural occupations within the same space, but during different periods of time. Due to the cultural and temporal diversity, we implemented a methodology based on the three-dimensional association of the data through a digital model. With this procedure, a total of 11 superimposed occupations were detected, three from the Aztec period, two from the Mazapa, and six from the Coyotlatelco. A total of 395 samples were analyzed to establish phosphate, carbonate, and pH values of each activity area excavated. The results define the types of activities and the use of space in each occupation, while differentiating the activities carried out in each chamber of the cave. It was observed that in all occupations, both daily and ritual activities were carried out. To corroborate the results, the chemical data were contrasted with general data from the associated lithic and ceramic materials. This made it possible to integrate the results within a broader interdisciplinary project and promote the generation of more precise explanations about the use of these caves in prehispanic times.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)   •
• What Happened after the Fall of Teotihuacan?

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 37788.0