NEW RESEARCH AT TEOTIHUACAN'S TLAJINGA DISTRICT, 2012–2015. Issue 1 (2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carballo, David M.; Hirth, Kenneth G.; Hernández Sariñana, Daniela; Buckley, Gina M.; Mejía Ramón, Andrés G.; Kennett, Douglas J.
• Is Part Of: Ancient Mesoamerica. Volume 30:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 95
• Page End: 113
• Publication Date: 2019
• Subjects: Indians of Central America -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; Indians of Central America -- History -- Periodicals; Indians of Mexico -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; Indians of Mexico -- History -- Periodicals; Central America -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; Mexico -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; 972.01
• DOI: 10.1017/S0956536118000159
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-5361

Abstract

Abstract: Teotihuacan's Tlajinga district is a cluster of neighborhoods on the southern periphery of the city best known for earlier investigations at Compound 33:S3W1. New research includes excavations at two other apartment compounds and along the southern extension of the Street of the Dead. Excavation contexts, major finds, chronology, and preliminary interpretations are the subject of this article. We highlight evidence attesting to a major obsidian-blade workshop at Compound 17:S3E1, offerings, and other features at that compound and Compound 18:S3E1, and the tempo and processes of urbanization viewed through well-recorded stratigraphic sequences of the compounds and the Street of the Dead. We conclude that significant occupation began in the Miccaotli phase, but it was not until some point in the Early Tlamimilolpa phase that the dominant housing type became apartment compounds; the continuation of the axis of Street of the Dead in the district was accomplished by excavating in the volcanic tuft substrate (tepetate) and could have been undertaken by the inhabitants of the district themselves; and the presence of items such as a sculpted stone face, marine shell, and polychrome pottery demonstrates that commoners at Teotihuacan enjoyed some access to finer items within the interregional economy.