One of the most important tradition of pre-Columbian West Mexico are the so-called shaft tombs. El Opeño, in the Mexican state of Michoacan, is considered the precursor of this tradition and is one of the few places where archaeologists have found tombs that had not been destroyed by looters.
Ceramic objects from West Mexico, in fact, are unfortunately highly prized on the black market for ancient artifacts.
Studied by archaeologist Arturo Oliveros, the site of El Opeño is a small village located in northwestern Michoacan which developed during the Early Formative, between 1500 and 900 BC. The site is contemporaneous with other local traditions such as Capacha, in Colima, and had many connections with the culture of Tlatilco in Central Mexico.
To date, only the burial complex and the related grave goods are known archaeologically. The tombs are characterized by underground passageways and staircases, carved into the walls, which lead to the funerary chambers. Nine tombs were discovered between 1938-1970, and three more in the early 1990s.
Archaeologists believe that these complexes were family crypts with multiple burials, since there is evidence that they were reentered in antiquity. Some of the bodies show evidence of skull deformation and perforation, a widespread practice among Mesoamerican cultures.
The period of development at El Opeño coincides with a moment of high volcanic activity in this area of Michoacán.
This event not only affected the burial complex but also the dwelling areas, making it extremely difficult for archaeologists to locate the site.
The majority of materials found at El Opeño come from the burial complexes. These include clay figurines, among which are the famous images of ballplayers holding a bat. Pottery is decorated in red and brown with geometric motifs. Small ceramic bowls, imilar to pieces recovered at Tlatilco in Central Mexico, have also been recovered, along with jars decorated with negative paint which seem to be a forerunner of Postclassic, Tarascan pottery decorated with the same technique.
This glossary entry is a part of the About.com guide to Mesoamerica, and the Dictionary of Archaeology.
Evans Toby, Susan and David Webster, 2001, Archaeology of ancient Mexico and Central America: an encyclopedia. Garland Pub.
Manzanilla, Linda and Leonardo López Luján (eds.), Historia Antigua de México, vol.II, Miguel Angel Porrua Editor, Mexico City, Mexico.
Williams, Eduardo, Prehispanic West Mexico: a Mesoamerican Culture Area, Foundation for Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, Inc. (FAMSI), accessed September 2010 2008.
Ceramic objects from West Mexico, in fact, are unfortunately highly prized on the black market for ancient artifacts.
El Opeño
Studied by archaeologist Arturo Oliveros, the site of El Opeño is a small village located in northwestern Michoacan which developed during the Early Formative, between 1500 and 900 BC. The site is contemporaneous with other local traditions such as Capacha, in Colima, and had many connections with the culture of Tlatilco in Central Mexico.
El Opeño Tombs
To date, only the burial complex and the related grave goods are known archaeologically. The tombs are characterized by underground passageways and staircases, carved into the walls, which lead to the funerary chambers. Nine tombs were discovered between 1938-1970, and three more in the early 1990s.
Archaeologists believe that these complexes were family crypts with multiple burials, since there is evidence that they were reentered in antiquity. Some of the bodies show evidence of skull deformation and perforation, a widespread practice among Mesoamerican cultures.
The period of development at El Opeño coincides with a moment of high volcanic activity in this area of Michoacán.
This event not only affected the burial complex but also the dwelling areas, making it extremely difficult for archaeologists to locate the site.
Offerings at El Opeño
The majority of materials found at El Opeño come from the burial complexes. These include clay figurines, among which are the famous images of ballplayers holding a bat. Pottery is decorated in red and brown with geometric motifs. Small ceramic bowls, imilar to pieces recovered at Tlatilco in Central Mexico, have also been recovered, along with jars decorated with negative paint which seem to be a forerunner of Postclassic, Tarascan pottery decorated with the same technique.
Sources
This glossary entry is a part of the About.com guide to Mesoamerica, and the Dictionary of Archaeology.
Evans Toby, Susan and David Webster, 2001, Archaeology of ancient Mexico and Central America: an encyclopedia. Garland Pub.
Manzanilla, Linda and Leonardo López Luján (eds.), Historia Antigua de México, vol.II, Miguel Angel Porrua Editor, Mexico City, Mexico.
Williams, Eduardo, Prehispanic West Mexico: a Mesoamerican Culture Area, Foundation for Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies, Inc. (FAMSI), accessed September 2010 2008.
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