Recorrido Arqueológico El Mesón
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Research Year:  2003
Culture:  Olmec
Chronology:  Pre-Classic
Location:  Eastern Papaloapan River Basin, Veracruz, México
Site:  El Mesón

Table of Contents

Abstract
Introduction
Background
Fieldwork
Preliminary Results and Observations
Summary and Significance
Acknowledgements
List of Figures
Sources Cited

Abstract

The Recorrido Arqueológico El Mesón was initiated in 2003 to investigate settlement patterns and political economic organization in the Eastern Papaloapan River Basin during the Late and Terminal Formative periods (400 B.C.-A.D. 300). This 700-year span marked an important transition on the southern Gulf Coast between the earlier Olmec culture and the later Classic period cultures; however, our understanding of this period remains limited. This research focused on an area of approximately 23 sq. km around the archaeological site El Mesón. The settlement data indicate that during the Late Formative period (400 B.C.-A.D. 100) El Mesón emerged as a small region center, and based on similarities in the layout of formal architectural complexes, may have had political ties with the large center Tres Zapotes.

Michael L. Loughlin
University of Kentucky
mlloug0@uky.edu

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