Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
Verónica Pérez Rodríguez*, Antonio Martínez Tuñón, Leah Minc, Laura Stiver Walsh, Mariana Navarro Rosales
ABSTRACT
This paper presents data on Late Formative to Terminal Formative (300 BCE–300 CE) ceramic assemblages that suggest a change in the use of Valley of Oaxaca ceramics and ceramic styles at Cerro Jazmín, Oaxaca, Mexico. We describe the characteristics of 29 dated ceramic assemblages from civic-ceremonial and residential contexts. We present INAA results and chronological trends in the ceramic assemblages that point to a decrease in the use of Valley of Oaxaca gray-ware serving vessels from the Late to Terminal Formative and a significant increase in the use of two types of locally-made serving vessels, one that was stylistically similar to crema vessels from the Valley of Oaxaca and another that was stylistically distinct and widespread in the Mixteca Alta, but rare in the Zapotec region. These serving vessels would have featured prominently in domestic and public food-consumption events. We interpret this shift as evidence of Cerro Jazmín’s political and cultural independence, centuries after it was first established.
* Denotes CSDA Associates, Affiliates, and Staff