Monumental Architecture in the Context of Emerging Sociopolitical Complexity at Chalcatzingo, Morelos, Mexico

在大卫·格罗夫博士的指导下，玛丽亚·阿维莱斯女士将为她的博士论文收集数据。她将在位于墨西哥中部高原地区的Chalcatzingo遗址进行考古研究。该遗址最古老的部分可以追溯到早期的形成时期(公元前1500-900年)，因此它提供了关于复杂的分层中美洲社会崛起的第一阶段的直接信息。在过去的研究中，调查人员注意到该遗址存在大型土丘，并部分挖掘了其中一个。在这个项目中，阿维莱斯女士将挖掘出另一个保存完好的样本和一个相关的结构。在这一阶段的研究中，目标将集中于确定特征的大小和水平范围。然后，将在平台的所有两侧开辟一个区域，以发现相关的活动遗骸和相关结构。将收集和分析陶瓷、黑铁矿、磨石、动物群和其他遗骸等文物，并生成地图和照片。还将获得放射性碳样。该项目有完善的材料记录和分析方法。在这项研究的基础上，Aviles女士希望确定这些土丘的用途，并了解Chalcatzingo是如何随着时间的推移而发展起来的。考古学家希望了解复杂的社会是如何发展的，他们把重点放在世界上几个独立发生这种情况的地区。墨西哥就是这样一个地区。世界许多地区的研究表明，不朽的建筑与这一过程的早期阶段有关，Chalcatzingo丘陵就是其中之一。它们清楚地提供了证据，证明有能力在持续的一段时间内调动大量劳动力。然而，这样的土堆所起的作用往往不清楚。在某些情况下，重要的人很可能居住在建造在顶部的房屋，在另一些情况下，土堆起到了仪式的作用。由于Chalcatzingo丘陵保存完好，以及它们的早期日期，这些结构特别令人感兴趣。该遗址本身在墨西哥史前的一段漫长而关键的时期内被占据，这项研究还将提供关于复杂性如何随着时间的推移而增加的洞察。这个项目之所以重要，有几个原因。它将提供许多考古学家感兴趣的数据。它解决了一个具有重大意义的理论问题，并将有助于培养一位有前途的年轻科学家。

Under the direction of Dr. David Grove, MS Maria Aviles will collect data for her doctoral dissertation. She will conduct archaeological research at the site of Chalcatzingo which is located in the highland region of Central Mexico. The oldest part of the site dates from the Early Formative Period (1500-900 BC) and therefore it provides direct information on the first stages in the rise of complex stratified Mesoamerican society. In past research the investigators have noted the presence of large earthen mounds at the site and have partially excavated one of them. In this project MS Aviles will excavate an additional well preserved example together with an associated structure. For this stage of the research, goals will focus on determining the size and horizontal extent of the features. An area will then be opened on all sides of the platforms to uncover associated remains of activities and related structures. Artifacts such as ceramics, obsidian, ground stone, faunal and other remains will be collected and analyzed and maps and photographs generated. Radiocarbon samples will also be obtained. The project has well established methods for the recording and analysis of materials. On the basis of this research MS Aviles hopes to determine the uses to which these mounds were put and to gain insight how Chalcatzingo developed over time. Archeologists wish to understand how complex societies develop and they focus on the several areas of the world where this occurred independently. Mexico is one such region. Work in many parts of the world has demonstrated that monumental architecture, of which the Chalcatzingo mounds are one example, are associated with early stages of this process. They clearly provide evidence of the ability to mobilise large amounts of labor for a sustained period. However the functions which such mounds served are often unclear. In some cases it is likely that important individuals inhabited houses constructed on the tops and in others that the mounds served ritual functions. Because of the well preserved nature of the Chalcatzingo mounds as well as their early dates, the structures are of particular interest. The site itself was occupied for a long and crucial period of Mexican prehistory and the research will also provide insight into how complexity increased over time. This project is important for several reasons. It will provide data of interest to many archaeologists. It addresses a theoretical issue of great significance and will assist in training a promising young scientist.