[Aztlan] cases of dismemberment/defleshing in Mesoamerica?

[Archaeology Institute]

Dear Matt,

      As per evidence for dismemberment and defleshing in Mesoamerica, you may wish to consult both the early, and as yet preliminary, analysis of the dismembered and disarticulated skeletal remains recovered during the archaeological investigations
at Tlatelolco; and more recent studies from the site of Cantonac (aka: Cantona), where the investigators recovered scores of dismembered human remains replete with cut marks at the distal ends of long bones and evidence for what they deemed to
constitute "pot polish."  

     The more recent findings form Xultepec (aka: Tecuaque) in turn have been examined by forensic specialists and these have in turn produced hundreds of individual specimens confirming both dismemberment and or indicating cannibalism....replete
with human tooth marks on individual human bones.  This serves to elucidate broader patterns of social violence in the region of Tlaxcala where Angel Garcia Cook has long documented internecine patterns of warfare, social violence, and cannibalism.

     In both the chapter titled "Aztec Militarism and Blood Sacrifice..." in the Chacon and Mendoza (2007) volume on Latin American Indigenous Warfare and Ritual Violence (2007), and in the chapter titled "The Divine Gourd Tree: Tzompantli Skull
Racks, Decapitation Rituals, and Human Trophies in Ancient Mesoamerica" from the Chacon and Dye (2007) volume titled The Taking and Displaying of Human Trophies by Amerindians, you will find the complete references for each of the aforementioned
studies.

      PS: As I am currently working on another deadline here at the campus library, I am not presently at liberty to cull the specific bibliographic references in question from my earlier publications graciously cited and acknowledged in a prior
post by Dr Caroline Dodds Pennock.  Caroline's own work has proven a critical resource in my present course titled "Art of the Aztec Empire." Best of wishes on your current research!  PS2: Dear Caroline...thank you for launching that incredible
exchange on ritual sacrifice and blood tribute in the lists of a couple of months back...I decided to sit out that conflagration due to a host of other demands, but did very much appreciate your stand and the substance of your particularly eloquent
and well considered arguments.  Saludos de Aztlan!

Best Regards,

Ruben G. Mendoza, Ph.D., Director
Institute for Archaeological Science, Technology and Visualization
Social and Behavioral Sciences
California State University Monterey Bay
100 Campus Center
Seaside, California 93955-8001

Email: archaeology.csumb at gmail.edu
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