Archaeology of Teotihuacan, Mexico
Unlike
any of the other graves found at the FSP, the twenty individuals found in Grave
14, exactly at the center of the pyramid, were not placed in an excavated pit,
but laid-out directly on the surface of the leveled tepetate (General
map). Stratigraphic data indicate that these individuals were interred at
the onset of the FSP construction. It is evident that all 20 people, along with
their associated offerings, belong to a single burial event; there is no evidence
for alteration or disturbance of the primary burial after interment.
In
the field, we excavated by sections in order to ensure the safety of workers.
All bones and offerings found in that area were recorded and removed, so
that the exploration of the next section of the grave could continue. We
did not, therefore, have a complete picture of the grave system until the
excavation had concluded, and the field observations of bones and offerings
had been reconstructed at the laboratory. This general plan, which shows
only osteological materials, indicates that the positions and orientations
of the 20 individuals were diverse and complex. The bodies were buried
with little space between them, some partially overlying others.
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The
objects found in Grave 14 constitute the richest offerings discovered to
date in Teotihuacan. They were distributed throughout the entire interment
zone. Many were found directly on top of the skeletons, although some items
were discovered between bones, and even less beneath the bodies. Nearly
600 greenstone objects, more than 800 obsidian objects, and over 3,400
shell items were also discovered, along with slate disks, a few ceramics,
organic remains, and animal bones.
Offerings
were recorded and then removed so that excavation could continue below
them. Most of the complete and semi-complete offerings were drawn in 73
field maps. The picture shows the central section of a general plan reconstructed
from these sheets, and other photos and notes.
The map indicates that, in addition to an even dispersal of personal ornaments,
a large quantity of general offerings were distributed among individuals,
with two spots of marked concentration. No individual was singled out in
for special treatment in the central grave. Despite the outstanding richness
of the associated offerings, the occupants appear to have been sacrificial
victims, executed at the commencement of the pyramid construction program.
