located
in the central grave of the Feathered Serpent Pyramid was reconstructed
on the basis of the distribution of different bone elements. These 20 individuals
were positioned and oriented in diverse ways. Little space was left between
adjacent individuals, and some bodies partially overlapped others. The
treatment of individuals was uniform, and the distribution of offerings
did not provide evidence for status differences (Click here for information
about Offerings in Grave 14).These bodies appear to have been deliberately arranged to express specific ritual meanings, as their unusual positions and symmetric relations indicate. Eight individuals were laid along the East-West axis of the pyramid in an extended or semi-extended position, highly unusual in Teotihuacan mortuary contexts. Four of them had their arms crossed behind their backs. Seven of the eight individuals were laid with their heads pointing toward the east, suggesting the primacy of this direction. The other eight individuals seem to have formed pairs that were located symmetrically on either side of the east-west axis. A distinct group of 4 bodies was located a short distance to the north, in seated positions that faced toward the south, with their arms crossed behind their backs. One individual was located at the western edge of the grave in an extremely flexed position, somewhat apart from the others.
