The Archaeology of Early Formative Chalcatzingo, Morelos, México, 1995

Excavation of the Test Units

In addition to the excavations of the platform mound, test pits were placed in the nearby vicinity to locate other areas of Early Formative activity.

Test Pit #1 was placed nine-ten meters to the north, and .5 m east to 2.5 m west of the datum. The pit measured 1 x 3 meters and was only excavated to a depth of 120 cm, with two natural levels observed in the stratigraphy (Figure 9). A small amount of very eroded ceramics were recovered from this unit. However, several concentrations of rocks were discovered, some of which formed parallel lines of stone, and other distinctive groupings (Figure 10). Due to the large size of the stones, evidence of worked edges, and their layout, they were classified as the foundations for the walls of a structure. However, since all of the material recovered from this unit dated to a much later period of time than the one which was the focus of this research project, the unit was closed to preserve the features for future research.

Test Pit #2 was placed six to nine meters to the north, and twelve to thirteen meters to the east of the datum, placing it approximately 22 m to the east of the platform mound. The unit measured 1 x 3 meters, and reached a depth of 251 cm. There were a total of six stratigraphic levels uncovered in this pit (Figure 11). The artifacts recovered from this unit were very rich and varied. For example, some of the items which were recovered include small spheres of clay which may have been pellets used in blowguns used during hunting, or perhaps they were rattles in musical instruments; pieces of red cinnabar used to make red pigment; a small, rectangular fragment of a polished iron-ore plaque which was used as a mirror; fragments of human and animal bone; and two pieces of greenstone. The large quantity of bones and the rich, organic quality of the soil indicate Test Pit #2 is located in a midden.

One of the most exciting finds of the field season, a possible house, was made at a depth of 214 cm in Level 5 of this unit. A layer of 4-5 cm of grayish-white, silty, compact soil was observed (Figure 12). Resting on this surface were many ceramic sherds and charcoal fragments. This layer was interpreted as a house floor due to the compact nature of the soil, the significant break in stratigraphy from levels above and below, and the cultural material that was found on its surface. Based on the analysis of the ceramics and figurines discovered in this unit, it is believed the house also dates to the Early Formative Period. Due to the presence of exotic goods such as greenstones and a mirror fragment, this structure may be an elite house.

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