Accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon (AMS 14C) 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 (ca. 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 suggest that these ceramic phases began earlier than is currently projected and that the well-documented abandonment period of La Ventilla may have occurred more abruptly than originally estimated.
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Un suburbio de Teotihuacan: Nuevas investigaciones en el barrio de Hacienda Metepec
This article presents the research questions and initial results of the Project Hacienda Metepec (2021-2022). Examination of the archaeological background and the recent mapping of this peripheral neighborhood of Teotihuacan allows for a discussion about its formation process, at the margin of the city. The neighborhood could have resulted from distinct urban growth processes, including planning, following the principles applied in the central sectors of Teotihuacan or, at the contrary, less planned, or unplanned sprawl. First observations of architectural elements and spatial organization suggest planning, however, the contrast between the monumentality of the neighborhood core and its relative spatial isolation remain unclear
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- Award ID(s):
- 2211663
- PAR ID:
- 10519544
- Publisher / Repository:
- CLASE
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Trace
- Volume:
- 84
- ISSN:
- 0185-6286
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 219-241
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Archaeology, Teotihuacan, Hacienda Metepec, Urban expansion, Pre-hispanic barrios, Urban centers
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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