Ritual Diversity and Social Identities: A Study of Mortuary Behaviors at Teotihuacán, México
Vea este informe en Español.

Research Year:  2006
Culture:  Teotihuacán
Chronology:  Early Classic
Location:  México
Site:  Teotihuacán

Table of Contents

Abstract
Resumen
Introduction
Data, Method, and Theory
Discussion
Axotlan
La Ventilla 3
Tlajinga 33
Tlailotlacan 6
Final Comments
Acknowledgements
List of Figures
Sources Cited

Abstract

In this report I present preliminary findings from a detailed investigation of mortuary practices at urban and hinterland sites associated with the ancient state of Teotihuacán. This research is aimed at developing a better understanding of social identity and diversity within Teotihuacán society. Most of Teotihuacán's urban population lived in apartment compounds across the city, but the nature of the social units that occupied separate residential locales is not well understood. Even less is known about how subordinate settlements beyond the city limits were socially organized and to what degree they were integrated into urban Teotihuacán society. While significant research has addressed economic variation at Teotihuacán, there is a relative shortage of research on ideational variation and its role in structuring social organization. Since ritual practices surely contributed to the daily negotiation of social identities that related to gender, age, and religion, they are an important focus of archaeological research. This FAMSI-supported project entails a comprehensive investigation of previously excavated materials from mortuary contexts at Teotihuacán, toward understanding ritual variability. Preliminary results indicate that significant differences existed among separate residential areas at Teotihuacán. This suggests that Teotihuacán was a ritually and socially diverse society, and that social groups are likely to have been delineated partly on the basis of ritual practices.

Resumen

Este informe presenta los resultados preliminares de una investigación que se enfoca a la identidad social en la ciudad antigua de Teotihuacán, México, por medio de un análisis de los datos mortuorios. La mayoría de la población Teotihuacana vivía en los conjuntos arquitectónicos situados en toda la ciudad, pero la naturaleza de las unidades sociales que ocuparon dichos conjuntos no está bien entendida. Aún menos se sabe cómo asentamientos rurales subordinados estaban integrados a la sociedad Teotihuacana. Mientras que las investigaciones anteriores han tratado la variación económica entre los conjuntos, poco se ha hecho para comprender las diferencias ideológicas que contribuyeron a la negociación diaria de las identidades sociales relacionadas con el género, la edad, y la religión. Este proyecto implica una investigación comprensiva de los materiales previamente excavados en contextos mortuorios en Teotihuacán y en un centro regional contemporáneo. Los resultados preliminares indican que existieron diferencias significativas entre áreas residenciales en Teotihuacán. Esto sugiere que Teotihuacán era una sociedad ritualmente y socialmente diversa, y que grupos sociales fueron delineados en parte en base a prácticas rituales.

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Submitted 05/24/2007 by:
Sarah C. Clayton
School of Human Evolution and Social Change (SHESC)
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287-2402
sarah.clayton@asu.edu

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