Totógal: Investigations of Postclassic Occupation and the Aztec Frontier in the Tuxtla Mountains, Veracruz, México

Fieldwork at Totógal

The goal of the 2004 field season was four-fold: (1) to undertake a systematic survey of Totógal; (2) to complement this with remote-sensing in areas with high densities of artifacts or architectural remains; (3) to conduct stratigraphically controlled excavations; and (4) to document the sequence of architectural construction phases through trenching and the cleaning of existing looter’s pits. We had to alter our initial surface collection strategy that required sod removal from 3×3 m units. To accommodate landowner concerns we adopted a shovel-testing program where our probes measured 30 cm sq and 20 cm deep, the INAH-prescribed depth to still be considered surface (Arqlgos Ma. del Carmen Rodríguez and Jaime Cortés, Centro INAH Veracruz, personal communication, 2004). To compensate for the decrease in surface area, we reduced the spacing between collections to intervals of 25 m in both directions. After initial shovel-testing, we returned to areas where artifact densities were high or that contained evidence of foreign (i.e. Aztec-style) material. Here we placed shovel-probes at intermediate distances between existing transects to better define the limits of concentrations.

We carried out an electro-magnetic induction survey (EM) in three areas. One block was placed at the western fringe of the site near the property line that divides Fields A and D. Shovel-testing in this area yielded two mold fragments for the production of Texcoco-Molded censers. EM detected a circular anomaly that we thought might represent a kiln. However, when shovel tests were dug at closely spaced intervals over the anomaly, no additional artifacts or production debris were found. A second block was surveyed in the northeastern corner of the site because of observed terrace modification, foreign-style ceramics and Postclassic figurines, ³   several pieces of green Pachuca obsidian, and two triangular projectile points, one made from green obsidian, the other from clear source material. We identified several angular anomalies, but no clear architectural patterns were observed. No additional ground-truthing was conducted in this area due to constraints on this season’s excavation permit and time. The third block was located on the main platform. The constructions encountered were described above.

We conducted excavations in eight locations, placed two trenches near architectural features, and cleaned wall profiles of two large looter’s pits. From these operations, we obtained and submitted several radiocarbon samples for assay: the results confirm continuous occupation from the Middle Classic through the Late Postclassic.

Despite INAH and alcalde support, we were never permitted to systematically study Field A. However, we were permitted to collect samples from the north slope of the long mound and the adjacent bottom areas that were not vegetated. In this surface collection, we used a modified version of the initially planned strategy and collected from 3×3 m units spaced at 25 m. One unit had an especially high density of materials so we collected one adjacent 3×3 m square to better define the concentration. In addition, one family living in Field A provided us access to materials within their house lot. They live at the western edge of the long mound/terrace.

Endnote

3. Ohnersorgen notes that similar figurines were used in central highland domestic rituals during the Postclassic (2001).

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