La Ventilla Radiocarbon Bayesian Chronology

Summary

AMS radiocarbon dates (n = 78) from human bone collagen were analyzed in the largest high-resolution chronology study to date at the ancient city of Teotihuacan in central Mexico (c. AD 1–550). Samples originate from the residential neighborhood of La Ventilla, located in the heart of this major urban center. Here, a trapezoidal model using Bayesian statistics is built from 14C dates combined with data derived from the stylistic analysis of ceramics from burial contexts. Based on this model, we suggest possible refinements to Teotihuacan’s ceramic chronology, at least within the La Ventilla neighborhood. We also explore the abandonment and reoccupation of La Ventilla after the political collapse of Teotihuacan in the Metepec and Coyotlatelco phases. Findings indicate that these ceramic phases began earlier than is currently projected and that the well-documented abandonment period of La Ventilla may have been shorter than originally estimated.

The documents provided here are the supplementary material for an article that is currently under review. The preprint for this article can be found at....

This research was supported by the National Science Foundation Dissertation Improvement Grant (Award no. 1927690) and by the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection Junior Fellowship. Permission for the destructive analysis of human remains was provided by the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) in Mexico City (Permits/Oficios: 401.1S.3-2017/2240 and 401.3S.16-2018/450).