Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

THE PETATE AND THE COSMIC ORDER: DISCOVERIES FROM A CLASSIC PERIOD RESIDENTIAL GRAVE IN MICHOACÁN, MEXICO

THE PETATE AND THE COSMIC ORDER: DISCOVERIES FROM A CLASSIC PERIOD RESIDENTIAL GRAVE IN... Abstract This article explores the symbolism of the petate in light of an unprecedented archaeological discovery. Excavations carried out in a Classic context in northern Michoacán revealed the impression of a petate marking the location of a burial. In addition, the lower section of the burial pit was covered over with andesite slabs, including one with grid-like and spiral incisions. After a brief overview of the ancient and modern uses of the petate and relevant archaeological evidence, I present the data that allow the testing of different hypotheses, in particular the symbolization of power through the petate. Contextual analysis suggests that both the woven mat and the incised slab served as thresholds, if not barriers, between the world of the living and the underworld. I propose that the petate was placed over the grave to serve as a regulator, ensuring that entities were properly separated and that they remained in their respective places. As such, it was an object protecting the cosmic order. I further suggest that the petate may have acted as a temporal gate, guaranteeing the continuous exercise of authority and argue that it was, as a finished object, endowed with power. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Ancient Mesoamerica Cambridge University Press

THE PETATE AND THE COSMIC ORDER: DISCOVERIES FROM A CLASSIC PERIOD RESIDENTIAL GRAVE IN MICHOACÁN, MEXICO

Ancient Mesoamerica , Volume 34 (1): 17 – Apr 1, 2023
17 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/cambridge-university-press/the-petate-and-the-cosmic-order-discoveries-from-a-classic-period-398CGq3sJ0

References

References for this paper are not available at this time. We will be adding them shortly, thank you for your patience.

Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press
ISSN
0956-5361
eISSN
1469-1787
DOI
10.1017/S0956536121000067
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract This article explores the symbolism of the petate in light of an unprecedented archaeological discovery. Excavations carried out in a Classic context in northern Michoacán revealed the impression of a petate marking the location of a burial. In addition, the lower section of the burial pit was covered over with andesite slabs, including one with grid-like and spiral incisions. After a brief overview of the ancient and modern uses of the petate and relevant archaeological evidence, I present the data that allow the testing of different hypotheses, in particular the symbolization of power through the petate. Contextual analysis suggests that both the woven mat and the incised slab served as thresholds, if not barriers, between the world of the living and the underworld. I propose that the petate was placed over the grave to serve as a regulator, ensuring that entities were properly separated and that they remained in their respective places. As such, it was an object protecting the cosmic order. I further suggest that the petate may have acted as a temporal gate, guaranteeing the continuous exercise of authority and argue that it was, as a finished object, endowed with power.

Journal

Ancient MesoamericaCambridge University Press

Published: Apr 1, 2023

There are no references for this article.