Origins of the Ñuu: Archaeology in the Mixteca Alta, Mexico

Appendix One: Ceramic Chronology

359 The Mixteca Alta ceramic chronology was initially outlined following stratigraphic excavations covering multiple time periods in Tamazulapan-Tejupan, Coixtla­huaca, and Nochixtlán, including the sites of Yatachio, Las Pilitas, Iglesia Vieja, Yucuñu­ dahui, and Monte Negro (Caso 1938, 1942; Bernal 1949; Paddock 1953). With his Nochixtlán Valley regional survey and excavations, Spores (1972, 1974) established the basic five-period sequence used here and in all contemporary studies in the Mixteca Alta (Table 1.2) and published ware and type descriptions. We also draw on pottery descriptions and chronological adjustments from subsequent studies (Byland 1980; Plunket 1983; Gaxiola 1984; Lind 1987; Zárate 1987; Robles 1988; Byland and Pohl 1994; Spores 1996; Winter 1997). Cross-ties confirm substantial interregional communication and provide crucial evidence for dating. The Valley of Oaxaca ceramic studies are especially valuable: Caso et al. (1967); Drennan (1976, 1983); Kowalewski et al. (1978); Whalen (1981); Flannery and Marcus (1994); Martínez López et al. (2000). See also Joyce (1991) for Formative coastal Oaxaca; Ceramic Chronology Appendix ONe 360 w Ceramic Chronology A1.1 Early/Middle Cruz ceramic distributions. Spencer and Redmond (1997, 2001) for the Cuicatlán Cañada; and MacNeish et al. (1970) for the Tehuacan Valley. The relationships of the Mixteca Alta phases and their ceramics to those of neighboring areas are critically reviewed in detail by Stiver Walsh (2001:59–83). The current sequence relies heavily on cross-ties and associations; the Mixteca Alta needs more stratigraphic excavations and many more radiocarbon dates. The dates for phases set forth in this book must be considered provisional and not definitive. This appendix summarizes the chronological sequence of known phases and their ceramic indicators (see Stiver Walsh 2001 for a fuller treatment). The illustrations are from our surface collections. Measurements, ware and type information, and proveniences for the sherds shown in the photographs are given in Table A1.1. The figures showing spatial distributions of the major wares are for the 1999 survey area (not Huamelulpan or Teposcolula). Early/Middle Cruz Buff and red-on-buff pottery characterize the first part of the Early Formative (1400 to 1150 BC). Early Cruz has Etlatongo Buff wares including a plain and a redpainted variety. Paste is buff or light tan. Our collections have thin-walled Etlatongo Buff cylindrical and hemispherical bowls and jars. Vessels are usually well burnished and slipped red, though brown and black slips occur and fine-line incising may also occur. The sherds are rare in surface collections. We combined Early and Middle Cruz into one phase from 1400 to 700 BC to avoid defining components based on very few diagnostics. We have more material from the latter portion of the period, 1150 to 700 BC (Figure A1.1). Yucuita Red-on-Tan, Joselito Variety, is characteristic of Early/Middle Cruz (Figure A1.2:1–14). The tan to brown clay body contains abundant inclusions, Ceramic Chronology w 361 often quite large. Forms include everted and flaring-rim jars, bottles, tecomates, and hemispherical, cylindrical, outleaned-wall, and other types of bowls. Jars and bowls may have red, or less frequently orange, slip or paint, which is sometimes applied A1.2 Early/Middle Cruz sherds (Joselito Red-on-Tan, Jazmín Red and White, and others) (see Table A1.1). 362 w Ceramic Chronology heavily, sloppily, or in bands around the vessel. Burnishing is common and occasional decoration includes incised lines, scratching, raking, rocker stamping (Figure A1.2:15), and Olmec horizon excised “X” motifs. When no slip can be detected tanwares are classified as Yucuita Tan. There are tanware figurine heads with flat, elongated faces, and slanting eyes. Jazmín Red and White wares are excellent markers for the Early/Middle Cruz phase, with two varieties, Carlitos Two-Tone and Reyes White. The tan or brown paste is generally finer than in Joselito Red-on-Tan vessels. Carlitos Two-Tone bowls are found with outleaned walls, flared, everted, or other rim profiles, with red or orange slip and white slip (Figure A1.2:16, Figure A1.3:1–6). A contrasting band is often applied around the rim of the vessel. Rims are frequently incised, including the double-line break. White-slipped Reyes White has jars, bottles, and most typically bowls (Figure A1.3:7–9). Bowl forms include outleaned-wall, hemispherical, cylindrical, and flaring to everted-rim bowls. Our collections have examples with incised lines, shallow grooves, and...