Chemical Analyses and Activity Areas at Cerro de en Medio: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

This interdisciplinary archaeological study centers on Cerro de en Medio (CDEM), an ancient site in the northern reaches of Mesoamerica during the late Classic period (600-900 CE). Advanced chemical analyses of occupation floors provide insights into CDEM's activities, revealing its intricate social dynamics. The research combines this chemical analysis with artifact examination and architectural layout studies, fostering a comprehensive understanding of enduring activities at CDEM. CDEM is located in Aguascalientes, in the central-northern region of the country, atop a 2,100-meter (6,890-foot) hill. It's encircled by rhyolite ravines and horizontal tuff layers. The rocks' erosion resistance shaped the stepped hill landscape, influencing the daily lives of ancient inhabitants by providing essential lithic raw materials and impacting tool-making practices. Our study identifies distinct activity areas in CDEM: lithic tool production (including arrow points and scrapers), storage, and service ceramics. Chemical floor analysis delineates specific areas—food preparation, consumption, storage facilities, and a dedicated nixtamal preparation area. This understanding is vital in an area where agriculture is challenging. CDEM's households provide insight into subsistence strategies complemented by the site's unique characteristics.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 39666.0