Epi-Classic Cultural Dynamics in the Mezquital Valley

Similarities and Differences Between the Contexts

In addition to the similarities between the materials that accompany these jade plaques, there are other similarities worth mentioning. One of them is precisely the association with secondary or primary human burials, or the absence of them, although there are cases like Xochicalco where both phenomena have been observed.

Absence of Bone Remains

In the Veracruzan site, materials of variable temporalities often representing extended periods of time, are found together; the arrangement of pieces does not evidence any pre-established order, and all kind of objects and ornaments mingle, and therefore, they have been interpreted as relics. This issue has already been noted, and we have also delved deeply in regard to Chichén Itzá and Tula, so the only places open for discussion are Xochicalco and Oaxaca. The sites from Morelos and Monte Albán pose a particular set of problems, in the first case because we know that there, figurines with and without associated human remains have been found. It is possible that the situation in the second site was the same, but we ignore the characteristics of the contexts and the precise provenience of the majority of the greenstone plaques from the Oaxaca region. Even though from Caso’s descriptions it seems to be almost implicit that the offerings are exclusively artifactual, the author has mentioned only three samples; thus, the fact that we have not heard of any cases where human remains were involved does not rule out the possibility that they in fact existed. For the time being, little can we add in this respect. Perhaps we should wait until primary and burial contexts, such as those we have described, are discovered in sites from the Central Valleys which during the Epi-Classic were at their peak, and not precisely in the Zapotec capital from the preceding period.

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