MacNeish, Richard - An Early Archaeological Site Near Pánuco, Veracruz. 1954.

An Early Archaeological Site near Panuco, Vera Cruz
Author(s): Richard S. MacNeish

Source: Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, New Series, Vol. 44, No. 5 (1954),
pp. 539-641
Published by: American Philosophical Society
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TRANSACTIONS
OF THE
AMERICAN
PHILOSOPHICAL
SOCIETY
HELD AT PHILADELPHIA
FOR PROMOTING USEFUL KNOWLEDGE
NEW SERIES-VOLUME 44, PART 5

1954
AN EARLY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE NEAR PANUCO,

VERA CRUZ
RICHARD S. MAcNEISH
NationalMuseumofCanada
byAlfred
Witha Foteword V. Kidder
THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

INDEPENDENCE SQUARE
PHILADELPHIA 6
OCTOBER, 1954

1954by The AmericanPhilosophical
Copyright Society
LibraryofCongressCatalog
Card No. 54-9108

FOREWORD
ALFRED V. KIDDER
Of the multitudeof problemsthat face studentsof content,and, most necessaryof all, the at least ap-
the pre-Columbianhistoryof the New World two are proximatetimewhenthisor thatadvance was made.
fundamental:that regardingthe time and the method We now come to the place of Dr. MacNeish's in-
of the peopling of North and South America by the vestigationin the larger picture. Its general setting
Indians; and that of the originand spread of the re- is Middle America,where thereflourished, among the
markable civilizationsfound established in parts of Maya and other groups, the highest civilizationsof
both continentsat the time of their discovery by North America. Enough has been learnedto make it
Europeans. certain that they stemmedfroma simplerand more
Both thesemattersare also of morethanhemispheri- generalizedcultureusually called the Formative. But
thefirstbecauseit involvesone of themajor the place and the time of its originare unknown. It
cal interest,
movementsof man in his spread over the globe; the appears throughoutMiddle Americaalreadyin posses-
second because of its bearing on the nature and the sion of pottery,agriculture, weaving,and was practised
historyof civilization. The presentpaper deals with bypeoplelivinga sedentarylife-in otherwordswellon
one aspect of the latter. Its significancemay best be theirupwardway.
made clear by a seriesof questions. Until recent years the attentionof archaeologists
Was New World civilizationderivedfromAsia, or was devotedalmostexclusivelyto such strikingachieve-
was it evolved independently?If independently, were mentsof later periodsas the Maya templesand sculp-
its two highestdevelopments-inMiddle Americaand tures and the great pyramidsof Teotihuacan. But
in the Andean region of South America-also of in- discoveriesof the obviouslyearlierFormativeremains
dependentoriginor did the one stem fromthe other? and a growingrealizationof the importantrole the
These questionsare of muchconcernto anthropolo- Formativeplayed in giving rise to the higherMiddle
gists because of many strikingsimilaritiesin material American cultures,have led to its intensivestudy.
culture, social organizations,religious practices,and Being far fromprimitive, it musthave had its roots in
theartsbetweenthecivilizationsofthetwohemispheres. a still older culture. Did this come into being some-
These are hardto accountforbecauseboththeAmerican where in Middle America? No evidence of such a
and the Asiatic civilizationshad their seats very far
pre-Formativestage has yet come to light. Were its
southof BeringStrait,the onlypossiblepassagewayfor
forerunners in South America? Could the firststeps
overlandmigrationor tribe-to-tribe transmissionof in-
have been taken overseas? Is it possible that it had
fluences. Thus effectivecontact,if overseas, would
its beginningsin eastern United States, where there
have been hinderedby the formidablebarrierof the
existed ancient pottery-making cultures believed by
Pacific; deterred,if by land, by enormousintervening
some studentsto owe theirorigin to influencesentering
distances,as well as by harsh environments on either
side of the Strait. In the case of Middle Americaand the New World via Bering Strait?
the Andes, difficultieswere muchless, but communica- In Middle America some of the oldest-seeming
tion would neverthelessseriouslyhave been hampered Formative remainsare foundalong the Gulfof Mexico
by the jungles of the Isthmus. coast from northernVera Cruz southward. Their
Neitherthe interhemispherical or the intercontinentalnorthernmost known occurrencesare at sites on the
questioncan yet be answeredwithconfidence. If they lower reaches of the Panuco River, where Dr. G. F.
could we would be well on our way towardsolvingthe Ekholm in 1941-1942 found stratifiedFormative re-
fundamental problemof whetherwhat we call civiliza- mains runningbackward,or ratherdown,to a culture
tion arose but once and was passed frompeople to as little developed as any then recognizedin Middle
people, or whetherit came into being among various America but, like all other Formative remains,far
peoples in response to an innate human urge, given from primitive(Ekholm, 1944). Dr. MacNeish, in
suitableconditions,to take, and seeminglyto take in the course of an archaeologicalsurveyof the north-
more or less the same sequence,certainsimilarsteps eastern Mexican state of Tamaulipas in 1948-1949,
towarda betterorderedand richerexistence. extended his investigationsto the Panuco area in a
These matters,so important fora trueunderstanding search for still older materials,whichhe hoped might
of the capacitiesof man,cannotbe settleduntilwe have serve to link the pottery-making Formative cultures
far more accurate knowledgethan we now possess of to certainpre-ceramicculturesof inland Tamaulipas.
the high cultureson both sides of the Pacific and of He had the good fortuneto encounterdepositswhose
both North and South America, their history,their uppermoststrata containedpotteryof types identical
539

540 MAcNEISH: ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE IN VERA CRUZ [TRANS. AMER. PHIL. SOC.
to Ekholm'slowestand thesewereunderlainby several lems outlined above can be determinedonly when

stratacarryingwares that,as he went downward,be- much more work has been done in Mexico and Peru
and in some ways
came progressivelymore different, and even in Asia. But it is clear thatthesefewmeters
moreprimitive,thanthoseabove. ofpotsherd-filledearthon thePanuco have added a new
in
How MacNeish's materialsshould be interpreted paragraphto one page of one volume of the storyof
termsof Middle Americanand the more generalprob- civilizationthatmay eventuallybe written.

PREFACE
This reportis the firstof threebased on materials tions with the shipmentof a type collectionto the
gatheredby the 1948-1949 Second Tamaulipas Expedi- United States for illustration,but for his advice, en-
tion. Since the materialsto be reportedon here are lighteningdiscussion concerningthe Huasteca, and
but littleconnectedwiththoseof Tamaulipas and since hospitalitywhichhave alwaysmade mytripsto Mexico
the excavationdid not take place in Tamaulipas it was Citya pleasure.
decided to discuss this material separatelyfrom the Afterthe excavation,Dr. Helmut de Terra, then a
rest. I am particularlyindebtedto Dr. Paul Fejos Research Associate of the Viking Fund, Mr. Glen
and othermembersof the Viking Fund of New York Evans of the Texas MemorialMuseum,and Mr. Alex
Cityformakingthisarchaeologicalexpeditionfinancially Krieger of the Universityof Texas were most kind
possible. I am equally gratefulto Mr. I. Marquina, in giving their time and energyto a briefgeological
Mr. E. Noguera,WilfridoDu Solier,and otherofficials studyof the area of excavationsat Panuco. I am most
of the Mexican Governmentfor giving me official gratefulfortheirendeavors.
permission to undertake these endeavors in their In undertakingthe comparative aspects of the
country. archaeologicalanalysis,assistanceand advice were re-
In the field, Roberto Pavon, Alberto Aguilar, ceived frommany quarters. Dr. Gordon Ekholm of
Leonardo Ponce, and Julio Tortua of Panuco, Vera the AmericanMuseum of Natural History,Dr. A. M.
Cruz, my wife, June Helm MacNeish, and various Tozzer of the Peabody Museumof Harvard University,
citizens of Mexico were most helpfuland their as- R. E. Smithand E. M. Shook of the CarnegieInstitu-
sistanceis appreciated. In theanalysisof thematerials, tion,WilfridoDu Solier, Eduardo Noguera,and Senor
the Director,R. Mireles of Escuela Rural of Ciudad Rubin de la Borbollaof Mexico, and RobertWauchope
Victoria,was mostgenerousin allowingme to use his of the Middle AmericanResearch Instituteof Tulane
facultysmokingroom as a laboratoryand providing Universityare thankedfortheirassistanceand advice.
me with spacious tables, storage space, and adequate I appreciatethe help of Dr. Gordon Ekholm and
lighting. I also would like to thank the employees, various membersof the staffof AmericanMuseum of
students,and professorsof thatschool fortheirunfail- Natural Historyin New York for receivingand cata-
ing hospitalityand much help that they so willingly loguing the type study collectionof materials from
gave. Re-sortingand preparationforshipmentof part Mexico, and foraidingme in the analysis.
of the materialto the United States took place in the In conclusion,I am gratefulto Mrs. G. MacQuarrie
Museo Nacional in Mexico, D. F. SefiorRubin de la for typingthe manuscript,Mr. A. E. Ingram for the
Borbolla was most cooperativein allowing me space drawings,and Mr. E. C. Elliottfor photographing the
in the Museum and puttingat my disposal various materials,all membersof the staffof the National
membersof his staffso that this task could be ac- Museum of Canada. I also would like to thank Dr.
complishedquicklyand efficiently. Douglas Leechman for allowingme to work on these
I would like to express my appreciationto Wilfrido materialsat the National Museum of Canada and for
Du Solier,notonlyforall thathe did forme in theway his advice concerningthe manuscript.
of leadingme throughthe maze of government regula- R. S. MAcN.
541

AN EARLY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE NEAR PANUCO, VERA CRUZ
RICHARD S. MACNEISH
CONTENTS
PAGE PAGE
I. Introduction..................................... 544 Hair-knot negroid type ............ ........... 593
The problem............ ......................... 544 Crew-cut type ............................... 593
The geologyof thearea of theexcavations..... .... 545 Coarse-paste type ............................. 593
II. A reporton VC-2 .................................. 548 Aberrants ................................... 595
Excavationtechniqueat VC-2..................... 548 Figurine limbs and bodies .......... ........... 595
The stratigraphy of VC-2......................... 550 Conclusions ................................. 592
The ceramicsof VC-2............................ 553 Animal figurines ............................... 599
Introduction................................... 553 Small effigyvessels ............................. 599
Pavon Period .................................. 566 Whistles ................. ...................... 599
ProgresoMetallic ............. ............... 566 Clay balls, clay beads, and discs.................. 599
ProgresoWhite ................ .............. 566 Architectural features ................ .......... 601
Heavy Buff.......... ........................ 567 Clay cylindricalobjects .............. ........... 602
Heavy Plain ................................. 567 Stone, bone, and shell ............................. 602
Conclusions.................................. 569 Chipped stone ................................. 602
Ponce Period .................................. 569 Ground stone ................................. 607
Progres'oMetallic ............. ............... 569 Bone . .......................................... 603
ProgresoWhite ................. ............. 569 Shell ..... .................................... 603
Ponce Black ................................. 570 III. A reporton VC-1 ............. I ..... 603
Heavy Buff.......... ........................ 571 Excavation technique ............................. 603
Heavy Plain ................................. 571 Stratigraphy ................................. 605
Aberrantsherds................ .............. 573 Ceramics .................. ...................... 695
Conclusions................................... 573 Chila Period ................................. 608
AguilarPeriod ................................. 573 Progreso Metallic ............................ 608
ProgresoMetallic ............. ............... 574 Progreso White ............................. 608
ProgresoWhite ................ .............. 574 Ponce Black ................................. 608
Ponce Black ................................. 574 Aguilar Red ................................. 608
AguilarRed .................................. 575 Chila White ................................. 608
AguilarGray ................................. 575 Aguilar Gray ................................ 609
Heavy Plain ................................. 575 Finer Plainware ............................. 609
Heavy Buff.......... ........................ 577 Heavy Plain ................................. 609
Aberrantsherds................ .............. 577 Aberrant sherds ............................. 609
Conclusions.................................. 579 Level 1 ............................. .... 609
Chila Period ................................... 579 Objects of clay ................................. 609
ProgresoWhite ................ .............. 579 Figurines ............... ....................... 609
Chila White ................................. 579 Small effigyvessels ............................ 610
Aguilar Red ................................. 579 Clay balls, beads, and discs .......... ........... 610
Aguilar Gray................................. 580 Stone, bone, and shell ............................ 610
Heavy Buff.......... ........................ 580 Other features ................................. 610
Finer Plainware ............... .............. 580 IV. Conclusions . ................................. 610
Heavy Plain ................................. 580 Summary of the Pre-Classic Periods............... 610
Conclusions.................................. 580 Pavon Period ....................... .......... 612
Level 1....................................... 580 Ponce Period ............. ............. 612
The ceramicchangesat VC-2 ....... ............ 580 Aguilar Period ................ .......... 613
of clay ..................................
Artifacts 586 Chila Period ............ .............. 614
Figurines............ .......................... 586 El Prisco Period ........................ .. 615
Prognathicelliptical-eyed type ...... .......... 588 External relations of the Pre-Classic Periods at
Realisticprojectingeyeballtype...... ......... 589 Panuco ....................................... 617
Puffedcheekedtype........... ............... 591 Relevance of the data to the problems ....... ...... 624
Small plaincrescentic cap type...... .......... 591 Appendix: A brief discussion of Pre-Classic traits in
Scalloped-edgedcap type ........ ............. 592 Meso-America . ............................. 626
Coarse flatrectangular-eyed type...... ........ 593 Bibliography ............ ................. 640
Pseudo baby-facetype......................... 593 Index ........................................... 641
543

544 'IACNEISH: ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE IN VERA CRUZ [TRANS. AMER. PHIL. SOC.
I. INTRODUCTION (highland) and Mayoid (lowland); then the Mayoid

familydivided into two sub-families,Huastecan and
THE PROBLEM M\IayaProper, while at a later date Huastecan, Maya
The archaeologicalexpeditionof 1948-1949, under Proper,and Quichoiddividedintoa seriesoflanguages.5
the auspices of the Viking Fund of New York City, From the standpointof Huastec-Maya history,this
had as one of its primaryproblemsthe investigation linguisticpictureis particularlysignificant in that the
of pre-potteryremainsin northeastern Mexico. It was Huastec are shown to be closer linguisticallyto the
hoped that pre-ceramichorizonsmightbe found,their Chontal,who speak a lowland Maya language,than to
culturalcomplexesdefinedand theirculturalremains any of the highlandMaya languages,and thatthe sepa-
relatedto eitherthe pre-ceramicremainsof the valley rationof the Huastec and lowland Maya sub-families
of Mexico or to earlyceramicperiodsin Meso-America. occurredmore recentlythan did the separationof the
Previous years' work (1945-1946) in the Sierra de highlandand lowlandMaya languagefamilies.
Tamaulipas, Estado de Tamaulipas, Mexico, had in- Althoughit is generallyrecognizedthat thereis no
dicated the existence of a pre-potteryartifactas- intrinsic relationshipbetween material culture and
semblageunderthe ceramic-bearing Pueblitocomplex.1 language, it is often reasonable for the historianor
Figurines of the Pueblito complex seemed to justify archaeologistto expectthatgroupsrelatedlinguistically
the interpretationthatit was roughlycontemporaneous mayhave,in someperiodin theirpast, shareda similar
with Teotihuacan in the valley of Mexico and with culturaltradition.
Periods II and IV of the Tampico-Panucoarea. How- With the Huastec-Maya linguisticrelationshipsin
ever, whetheror not the pre-ceramicremainsin the nmind, let us see whatthe archaeologicaldata (previous
peripheralTamaulipas area were earlier than the late to the 1948 excavationsat Panuco) had to offeron the
FormativeStage of Meso-Americacould not be deter- subject of relationships. In the Tampico-Panuco
mined in central and northernTamaulipas as early region,Gordon Ekholm had undertakenan excellent
Formativeremainsare absent. Therefore,it was de- archaeologicalstudyand establisheda sequence of six
cided to undertakea few excavationsin the Tampico- distinctiveceramicperiods.6 Many new potterytypes,
Panuco area, only one hundredmiles southeastof the unrelatedto previoustypes,appear in each period and
Sierra de Tamaulipas. Here Gordon Ekholm had give the "impressionof a series of waves of influences
found so called "Archaic" remains (called Periods I intrudingintothe area." 7These waves of influencein
and II) thatwere roughlycontemporaneous withother the variousperiodsappear to flowin froma numberof
earlyceramichorizonsin Mexico.2 It was hoped that centersof developmentin Meso-America. Period V
excavationsof sites having Period I remainson their and Period VI's affiliations are almostentirelywiththe
surfacein the northernVera Cruz regionmightreveal Valleyof Mexico. Vessel forms,ceramicdesigns,pastes
in their lower levels earlier ceramic and pre-pottery of certainwares, spindlewhorls,pipes, copperobjects,
culturalcomplexes. A studyof pre-pottery complexes and many other traits abundantlyattest to the in-
fromthe Tampico-Panucoarea, it was hoped, would fluencingof Periods V and VI of the Panuco-Tampico
allow for a much better interpretation of the non- area by the Mazapan, Aztec I, Aztec II, and Aztec III
ceramicremainsin Tamaulipas. complexesin theValley of Mexico. Period III and IV
Inherentin any investigations of problemsconcern- show stronginfluencesfromTajin of northernVera
ing early remains in the Huasteca is the secondary Cruz and fromTeotihuacanin the valley of Mexico.
problemof the Maya-Huastecrelationships.Linguistic Evidence for such a conclusion is to be found in
studies show that Maya and Huastecs speak closely similar(if not identical) mold-madefigurinetypes,the
related tongues.3 Recent linguisticstudies indicate use of slab feet and various other ceramic features.
thatthe Mayan stockmaybe dividedintotwo families: The relationshipsof Period II of the northernVera
Mayoid and Quichoid. The Quichoid familyincludes Cruz area seem to be specificallynot with the Valley
a numberof languagesused in the highlandMaya area, of Mexico but with Middle Tres Zapotes, in southern
while Mayoid is foundin the lowlands,Yucatan, and Vera Cruz, Lower I and II of Cerro de Las Mesas of
the Huasteca. Of the various Mayoid languages the centralVera Cruz,and theChicanelPeriod ofUaxactun
Choloid language spoken by the lowland Maya from in the Peten of Guatemala. Vessel forms,figurines,
Tabasco to the Peten is consideredto be closestto the and polishedblack pottery(El Prisco Black at Panuco
Huastec.4 An historicalreconstruction based on the and black ware in Middle Tres Zapotes) indicate a
linguisticsof the Mayan stock reveals brieflythe fol- relationshipbetweenMiddle Tres Zapotes and Period
lowingpicture: the originalproto-Mayalanguage was II at Panuco. About as strongor slightlyless strong
firstdividedintotwo main linguisticfamilies,Quichoid than the Panuco-Middle Tres Zapotes nexus are the
Chicanel-Panuco resemblances. The paste, surface
1 for
MacNeish, 1947. (See bibliography completereferences.)
2 Ekholm, 1944. 5Discussion with McQuown of the Department of An-
3J. A. Mason,1940. tlhropology,Universityof Chicago.
4 Mason, 1940; Kroeber, 1940; and conversation with Mc- G Gordon Ekholm, 1944.
Quown con2erningstudies by Dr. Manuel Andrade. 7Gordon Ekholm, 1944: 504.

VOL. 44. PT. 5. 19541 INTRODUCTION 545
characteristics, and vessel forms of El Prisco Black Lower Tres Zapotes in southernVera Cruz displays
show enough resemblances to materials from the manysimilaritiesto the Mamom Period.13
Chicanel Period of Uaxactun to indicatesome sort of From the above discussionit is apparentthat there
kinship. Dr. Caso feltthatthe gray potteryof Monte is a very poor correlationbetweenthe Maya-Huastec
Alban II has certain resemblanceto that of Panuco relationshipsindicatedby the linguisticdata and the
Gray of Period II in the Tampico-Panuco region.8 relationshipshown by the archaeologicalinformation.
The meagerlydocumentedceramiccomplexof Period I This raises a problemand a series of questionsthat
of Panuco indicatedthat the paste of the Chila White archaeologymust answer. On a more general level
potterytype resembledthat of some sherds in Monte is thequestionofwhetherthehistorianand archaeologist
Alban I, thoughmost of the other featuresdid not. are justifiedin expectingany archaeologicalconnection
Robert E. Smithwas of the opinionthat Chila White (in re materialculture) betweenpeoples linguistically
vessel formswere reminiscentof the Chicanel period related. On a morespecificlevelis a seriesofquestions
at Uaxactun, while a few specimensof the red painted thathinge on the problemof whetherthe six ceramic
ware at Panuco bore resemblanceto daub ware, a periods (or any earlier periods) in the Tampico-
minoritytype in the Mamom Period of Uaxactun.9 Panuco area representpeoples speaking the Huastec
GordonEkholmfeltthat Period I mighttentatively be languageof Mayoid languagefamily. If the Tampico-
correlatedwith the Mamom Period of Uaxactun. In Panuco sequence either in part or in toto does not
my opinionthe Period I potteryof Tampico-Panucois representremains of Huastec-speakingpeoples, then
more similarto the potteryof Chicanelthan to thatof when did the people of this area start speakingthis
Mamom, but I have seen only a few sherds from language and whence did it come? However, if the
Uaxactun. ceramic periods in northernVera Cruz do represent
However,in spiteof the different ceramiccomplexes the remainsof Huastec-speakingpeoples (as Ekholm's
and the numerousaffiliations with other areas during evidence indicates) then there is a series of other
each period in the Tampico-Panucoregion,it was felt questions. At whattimewere the Maya and Huastecs
that there was culturalcontinuityand there were "at connectedor in contactwithone another? What was
no time any completereplacementsof populations,"10 the nature of the relationshipbetweenthe peoples of
though there may have been shiftingof peoples and the Huasteca and the Maya area in prehistorictimes?
great amounts of diffusioninto the area at certain A closely connectedquestion is when and by what
criticalperiods. Evidence of continuitywere the pot- process did the Huastec become separatedfromtheir
terytypesHeavy Plain, Panuco Gray and ladles, and linguisticbrothersin theMaya area?
figurinetypes developingthroughall periods,as well In the followingpages may be seen the evidence
as the numerouspotterytypes that persistedthrough brought to bear on the above-mentionedproblems.
It will be immediatelyapparent that the attemptto
two or moreperiods,such as Zaquil Red, Panuco Fine
uncover pre-ceramicremainsin the Huasteca and to
Paste, Zaquil Black, etc. Whetherthis evidence for
solve the problemof the relationof the pre-ceramic
continuity is conclusivewill,of course,dependon con-
complexes of Tamaulipas to other remainsof Meso-
siderablemoreworkin the Huasteca. One factis most
Americavia the Huasteca met withfailure. However,
significant.None of the objects excavatedby Ekholm in regardto theproblemof
Maya-Huastecrelationships,
in the easternHuasteca showed exclusiveor even very I believe the 1948
excavationsjust northof Panuco
many resemblancesto any Maya materials thus far have broughtto lightnew evidence. These new data
uncovered. obviouslydo not solve all the problems. Nevertheless,
Turning briefly to the lowland Maya area at thisinformation indicatesthepossibleand evenprobable
Uaxactun, a sequenceof fourceramicperiodshas been answers to some of the questionsand certainlyallows
established.1" The later periods, Tepeu and Tzakol, fora re-defining of theproblemsconcerningthe Maya-
need not concernus, as they are associated with the Huastec relationships.
"classic stage" of Maya culture,evincedby thecalendar,
hieroglyphs, a sophisticatedarithmeticalnotation,large THE GEOLOGY OF THE AREA OF
stone cities, complex specialized architecture,and a THE EXCAVATIONS
complex ceremonialism,etc. In the earlier periods, As an introduction to the archaeologicalexcavations
Mamom and Chicanel at Uaxactun, there are definite and the culturalstratigraphy of the area immediately
similaritieswith the Guatemala highlands "Archaic" northof Panuco it is fittingto give a briefsummary
(especiallyat Kaminaljuyu) in bothfigurinesand some of the natural stratigraphy and geologicalhistory. It
potterytypes (mainly red wares).12 Furthermore, was most fortunatethat Dr. Helmut de Terra of the
8 Ekholm, 1944. Viking Fund of New York City, Mr. Alex Krieger
9 Ibid. of the Departmentof Anthropologyof the University
10 Ibid.
of Texas, and Mr. Glen Evans of the Texas Memorial
11 R. E. Smith, 1936.
12 R. E. Smith, 1940. 13 Drucker,1943a.

VOl1
sherds in it were waterwornand thin lenses of sand
road VC 2
appeared. This set of layers,for the most part the
resultof wateraction,I shall referto as Zone A. Be-
~~~~~~~~~..... Lu Rio low Zone A was a one to two-footstratumof refuse
........ .. ........ Panueo
within which were short thin horizontal lenses of
Stage VI - Deposition of sands and river cuttirng burned clay, and fromwhich two pits and a narrow
trenchextendeddownward. This man-madestratumI
call Zone B. Observablein the lowest portionof the
ten-footsquare, and particularlyin the northeastern-
most five-footsquare that extended to a depth of
twelvefeet,were waterlaidand aeolian sands, Zone C.
The surfaceof Zone C was irregularand appeared to
Stage V - deposition of human refuse have been eroded. At the timeof thisfirstexcavation,
thisdisconformity was noticeablemainlyin the deepest
five-footsquare and no significance was attachedto it
untilafterVC-2 was dug.
The excavationof VC-2 was directlyeast of VC-1
and along the edge of the bank of the Panuco River.
Stage If - erosion Of sands This trenchin its northernfive-footsquare extendedto
a depthof twenty-sixfeet (water level). The length
of the trench,for reasons of safety,was diminished
fromits originaleighteenfeet at the surface,to five
feet in the lower levels, so the upper levels revealed
a larger cross-sectionthan the lower part. The top
btage III -deposition of sands and primary occupation two to threefeetof this second excavationwas almost
identicalwith that of Zone A of the firstexcavation.
It had the same numberand variationsof sand and
humus layers and the dark layer of re-depositedsand
Stg I epsiin of clyadSae _ reo
_
FIG. 1. A reconstructionof the geolog,ical history from VG-1

X Fenc e
to VC-2. Edge of road
Edge of Rio'Panuco
Area excavated
6 inch contouLr
Museum of Austin,Texas, visitedthe site and briefly I foot
5 foot
contour
contour-
studied the geologyof the area. Their opinions,ob- equals 5 feet
servations,and the resultsof subsequentdiscussionsas

well as my own observationsat the excavationshave
been incorporatedin this summaryof the geology of
theexcavations.
Since thegeologicalobservationsand conclusionsare 1.5 -
based upon the resultsof the excavationof the testpits

VC-1and VC-2, as well as a studyof the strata ap-
parentin the riverbank adjacent to the excavations,it
is necessaryto review these data. (The exact loca-
tionsof thepitsare indicatedin the map, fig.2.)
The excavationofVC-1, abouteightyfeetwestof the
bank of the Panuco River, consistedof four five-foot
squares forminga ten-footsquare dug to a depth of _~~~~- a f-.- ===
fourfeet. The northeasternmost five-footsquare was

subsequentlyextendedto a depthof twelvefeet. Ob-
servationsof the walls of the varioussquares (see figs. 20
11, 26, 27, 31, 32) revealed that the top two feet of
thistestpit were composedof bands of waterlaidsands
25-
interspersedwith two humuslayers,all of whichwas

underlaid by a darker stratumof refuse and sand. ~~~~~~
~~~~30
This lower layer evidentlyrepresenteda redeposition FIG. 2. Datum depth contour map of VC-1 and VC-2 with ex-
of refuseand sands by water action (floods?) as the cavated areas indicated.

VOL. 44, PT. 5, 1954] INTRODUCTION 547
and refuseat its bottom. Therefore,I believe it valid strata were absent. Zone D of bluish gray clay ap-
to assume that it representsthe same zone. (The peared just above the water level northand south of
publichighwaybetweenexcavationVC-1 and VC-2, as the excavation,and in a few places (particularlyjust
well as timeand expense,preventedus fromconnecting south of Panuco) its irregularsurface formedsmall
the two excavationsby a trenchand therebyproving peaks or plateaus seven to eight feet above the water
or disprovingthis assumption.) Under Zone A there level.
were approximatelythirteenfeet of refusecontaining The above-mentioned stratigraphic data may be in-
manyartifactsas well as such culturalfeaturesas post terpretedin the followingmanner (see fig. 1). The
molds, pits, hearths,and burned clay floors. Again, bluish-grayclays, Zone D, appear to have been de-
I believeit is valid to assume thatat least part of this positedduringa wet period. Mr. Glen Evans, of the
layer is connectedwithZone B of the firstexcavation Texas MemorialMuseumof Austin,was of the opinion
(cultural materialsconfirmthis assumption). Below that these clays mightpossiblybe correlatedwith the
Zone B werecompactsand stratainterspersed withthin Beaumontclays of coastal Texas, laid down duringthe
lenses and layers of cemented refuse composed of Pluvial or just post-Pleistoceneperiod. Unverifiedre-
charcoal,clay,ash, and artifacts. There is an erosional ports of "giant bones" (possibly mammoth) around
disconformity betweenthese cultural layers, Zone B, Panuco at water level heighttend to supportsuch a
and sand strata,Zone C. They are separatedby an correlation. Dr. Helmut de Terra agreed with this
irregular layer of relativelyloose sand, clay, and generalopinionand was particularlyimpressedby the
artifactswhich evidentlyrepresentserosionaldeposits. erosion of the surfaceof the bluish-grayclays which
This suppositionis supportedbythefactthatZone C has he feltmayhave takenplace duringa dryperiodfollow-
an undulatingsurfacerepresentingerosion. The fact ing this firstwet period in very early Recent times.
that Zone C, being composedin the main of waterlaid There evidentlywas a considerabletime betweenthe
and aeolian sands, displaysa disconformity with Zone formationof Zone D and the subsequentdepositionof
B leads me to the conclusionthat this stratum,par- Zone C, duringwhichthe erosionof Zone D tookplace.
ticularlythe upper portion of culturallysterile sand The buildingof Zone C by water and sand as well as
layers below the refuse,is connectedwith Zone C of man's occupationaldebrisappears to have taken place
VC-1 and may be consideredthe same geologicalzone ratherrapidlyand probablyclose to the river bed of
of roughlythe same temporalhorizon. At a depthof that period. Mr. Evans, noting the disconformity
twenty-three feetthe same zone graduallymergedinto betweenZone C and Zone B, and the erosionof Zone C
a layer of bluishgray clay whichcontinueddown into in the area of the excavation,did not feelthatthisnext
the waterlevel. This clay stratumis called Zone D. stage of erosion necessarilytook a great deal of time
It was also possibleto examinethe riverbank both while Dr. de Terra commentedthat evidentlyanother
northand south of the excavationof VC-2. Briefly, dry period had occurred between the deposition of
this studyrevealedthat northof our excavationZone Zones B and C. It was felt,however,that some time
A extendedforat least halfa mileand, thoughthebank did elapse betweenthe occupationsin Zone B and Zone
was less steepand not as at VC-2, the thicknessof the C and that a break in the culturalsequence mightbe
zone stayedabout the same. South of VC-2 Zone A present. The man-madeZone B, in spite of its depth,
continuedforabout one-halfmile and thendisappeared appears to be of a shorttimeperiod,beingseparatedby
where the bank became noticeablyhigherand formed a considerablegap in timefromthe depositionof Zone
the small plateau upon which most of the habitations A and the erosion of the presentbank by the river.
of Panuco are at presentsituated. Owing to vegetation, Since historicartifactswere foundin the lower section
Zone B was difficult to observenorthof the excavation of Zone A it must have been deposited in the last
but it appeared to have thinnedout to the vanishing fourhundredyears. In summary,it appears we have
point at six hundredyards northof the site. South- evidenceof: Stage I, depositionof clays,Zone D, pos-
ward from the trench (VC-2), Zone B in the first
siblyin pluvialtime,followedby Stage II, a dryperiod
one hundred yards narrowed to a thicknessof six
of erosionof the clays takinga considerablelengthof
feet and then appeared to be either increasingor to
time; Stage III saw the firstoccupationby man and
have anotherlayerof refuseabove it, separatingit from
Zone A. Zone C is a bitmorecomplex,as theculturally the buildingup of the sands by wind and riveraction,
sterileupper one foot of sand at VC-2 increasedto a Zone C; Zone C in turn was partiallyeroded away,
thicknessof ten feetand the thinculturallayer below Stage IV; Stage V witnessedthe concentrated occupa-
it disappeared altogetherfiftyyards south of the tionof the area by man and the accumulationof refuse,
excavation. Northwardfromthe excavationsthis zone Zone B; this was followedin turn by a long period
was difficultto studybecause of vegetationand talus. whenno depositionwas made untilabout fourhundred
However, by one hundredand fiftyyards north,this years ago when Zone A was built up and the bank
zone, or anothersandy layer below Zone B, had in- eroded by the meanderingPanuco River, Stage VI
creased to fifteenfeet in thicknessand the cultural (see fig.1)-

II. A REPORT ON VC-2

EXCAVATION TECHNIQUE AT VC-2
Previous to my arrival in Mexico in 1949, Roberto
Pavon at my requesthad made a briefsurveyaround
Panuco, searchingfor sites havingno potteryor sites
with large amountsof Period I materials. He found
nine sites with Chila White materialsin some abun-
dance, and duringmy firstweek in the area I visited
them and made furthersurface collections. Of all
thesesites,VC-2 was the mostpromisingbecause three
feetdown fromthe top of the bank one could dig out
Chila Whitesherds,whilebelowthisdepthwerethirteen
feetmore of refuse,obviouslyolder. Below this zone
of refusewere thin layers of refusein hard compact
sands that superficially
appeared to be withoutpottery
(thoughlaterfoundto containsherds).
The area excavated,VC-2, was locatedalongthebank
of the Panuco River where Calle Progreso of Panuco
met the River. Actually the excavation was rather
small, though my crew was large. Three laborers,
Alberto Aguilar, Leonardo Ponce, and Julio Tortua
fromPanuco, Vera Cruz, Mexico, withten days' previ-
ous archaeological experience, were under the im-
mediate supervisionof Roberto Pavon who had had
considerablearchaeologicaltrainingunderDr. Ekholm
as well as under myself. My wife and I performed FIG. 4. Excavationbeginsat VC-2. Notethebarrierleftalong
the moretechnicaldutiessuch as photography, the edge of the bank
survey-
ing, drawingof profiles,and takinglevels, as well as
supervisingand trainingthe crew. Preliminaryto excavationthe site was photographed
froma numberof different angles,includingshotsfrom
a boat in the riverdirectlyeast of the site (see fig.6).
Next, the area of both sites (VC-1 and VC-2) was
surveyedwith alidade and plane-table,and a one-foot
contourmap was drawn. Then a north-south line of
four stakes called 0-0, N5, N10, N15 was set up by
use of a surveyinginstrument and a steel tape. This
north-south line of stakes was roughly parallel to the
edge of the bank and about threefeetwest of it. On
the exact edge of the bank fourmarkerswere placed
directlyeast of the four north-southstakes, thereby
dividingthe surfaceof the trenchinto three parallel
units (in the fieldnotes these were called squares E5,
east five; N5 E5, northfive east five,and N10 E5,
northteneast five).
The diggingtechniqueconsistedof excavatingeach
unit by trowelor mattock(dependingupon the hard-
ness of the soil) to a depth of 6 inches at a time. Two-
man teams worked in each unit, one usually digging
and unearthingthe artifacts,the othersiftingthe dirt,
dumpingit over the bank,cleaningthe area excavated,
and placingthe artifactsin theirappropriateclothsack.
Barriers a few inches thick were left between each unit,
thus preventingany possiblemixtureof materialsfrom
each square (see fig.4). When the rest of the units
had been removedto a depthof 6 inchesthesebarriers
FIG. 3. Cleaningoffa levelat a depthof 11 feetat VC-2 in an were removed. Finally, at a depth of 10 feet the
attemptto see culturalfeatures. process of leavingbarriersbetweensquares was aban-

VOL. 44, PT. 5, 1954] REPORT ON VC-2 549
of 10 feet in the manner describedin the preceding
paragraph. At this depthwalls were again smoothed,
straightened, photographed,and drawn and the depth
checkedby instrument.Then again the west wall was
steppedout one footas a safetymeasure.
At this stage of the excavation the archaeological
material became quite sparse and no sharply dif-
ferentiatedfeatureswere apparent. Therefore,one-
foot levels were resortedto in our usual manner of
excavation. At a depthof 13 feetin the middleunita
burnedfloorunderlainby a dark charcoal-impregnated
layer of clay was encountered. This was removedas
a layer and was just about one foot thick. In the
northernunit the situationwas more complex as no
burnedfloorexistedand the darkstratumsloped down-
ward and had a pit extendingdown from it. The
materialsfromthe yellowishbrown refuse,the dark
stratumand thepit were baggedseparately. At 15 feet
6 inches (just below the dark stratum)anothersafety
step was made. However, since chunks of dirt and
FIG. 5. The test pit into sterile soil in the northwestquadrant
materialsfromthe top 3 feetof sand occasionallyfell
of VC-1. Zones A, B, and C are very apparent.
on the workersin spite of the two steps above, and
since the ever-presentgroup of visitors persistedin
doned as the workingspace was gettingratherlimited.
balancingthemselvesalong the edge of the trench,a
Along the edge of thebanka barrier2 to 6 inchesthick
3-footstep fromthe wall (and 5 feetfromthe original
was leftso no materialsuncoveredcould spill over the
stakes) was made to protectthe workers from any
bank, and also so that any artifactor earth in that
object (or person) thatmightfall (see fig.6).
barrier,in all likelihoodhavingfallenfromhigherstrata
Below the 3-footwide step (at a depth of 15 feet
at some past time,could be kept separate and not in-
6 inches) the materials were removed in one-foot
cluded in the materialfromthe level being dug (see
levels to a depthof 171/2feetfromthe top, when the
fig. 4). When the 6-inch level was completedthe
barriers were removed and the next level started. firstthinlayerof cementedash, charcoal,artifacts,and
Materials found in each unit and level or from the clay was encountered. The talus at the foot of the
edge of the bank were put in 3-, 5- or 10-poundcloth bank was also encounteredat this time; it was dug
sacks which containeda tag inside as well as outside separatelyand the materialssacked as a unit. Excava-
withthe correctsquare,level,and site writtenindelibly tion continuedwith the habitationlayers and sterile
on it. Any featuressuch as pits or post molds were
carefullycleaned,photographed, and sketched(see fig.
3). This techniquecontinuedto a depth of 5 feet.
At this depth the walls were not only straightened
(by plumb bob) and cleaned (by trowel) but vertical
stringswere hung down from each stake, the walls
were photographed, profilesdrawn,soil contentof the The excavation o V
.....o w
stratanoted,and the strataand featuresgivenarbitrary

FIG._6.
names or numbers. The depth of the floorwas also

checkedby use of a surveyinginstrument.When this
was completedthe next level was startedone footeast
of the long wall as a safetyprecautionagainst land-
slides or falling debris. Also, the south unit was
gradually stepped in from the surface so that at a
depth of 8 feet it no longer existed. This was done
xaaino C-2 dow to ZoEC
so one could get down to the excavation fairlycon-
FI.6_h
veniently(see fig.9).
Work continuedas describedabove to a depth of
5?/2feetwhere floor1 was encounteredand taken off
as a level. The stratabelow it and floor2 underlying
it were also strippedoff. The next level went down
to 8 feet. The excavationthen continuedto a depth

FIG. 7. Excavationof the exteriorwall afterlevel 16 had beencompleted.
sands betweenbeingstrippedoffas layersuntila depth

of 22 feet was reached. Anotherone-footsafetystep
was made at 19 feet. From a depthof 22 feetto 26
feet (water level) the strippingoff of the sand and
habitationlevel continuedonly in a 5-footsquare, the
northernunit. The last 2 feetin the culturallysterile
clay layers was only partially dug owing to water
seepage.
THE STRATIGRAPHY OF VC-2 (See fig.11)

The top 3-footlayerof the excavationis called Zone
A and was composedof sand, humus,and refuse (see
figs.7-11). More exactlythe first1?/2inches of the
soil consistedof thepresenthumuswhichwas underlain
by 3 to 7 inches of waterlaid (evidentlyby floods)
white sands. At a depth of 5 to 8 inches,about 3
inches thick,was a thin layer of humus and refuse
whichin turn overlayyellowish-white waterlaidsands
down to a depthof about 2?/2feet. Culturalitemsin
theselayerswere rare and includedfourpieces of glass,
threenails, two pieces of iron,seven glaze sherds,and
two sherdsof Huasteca Black on White. At a depth
of 21/2feetto roughly3 feetwas a layerof loose brown
sand containingwaterwornartifactsof a numberof
different culturalperiods (Modern Period, Period VI,
Period V, Period II, and Period I). I have interpreted
this layer as being deposited by flood action, rede-
positingartifacts,fromperhaps a wide area, with the
sands. This evidentlytook place over the long period
(Period I to Recent times) when the area was not
occupied. In termsof the analysis Zone A is called FIG8 Lokig ownino C-2frm he ouhwst orer
level 1 (thoughactuallyit was dug in six 6-inchlevels). FIG. 8. LookingdownintoVC-2 fromthe southwest
corner.

VOL. 44. PT. 5. 19541 REPORT ON VC-2 551
At a depth of 3 feet a dark layer of clayish loam,
impregnatedwith charcoal and artifacts,was encoun-
tered (see figs.9, 10). This dark brown layer con-
tinuedto a depthof 5 feet. Four post molds extended
down fromthe dark layer. The posts formeda semi-
circle, one end of which was in the north wall (see
fig. 29) 2 feet 3 inches east of the west wall, while
the otherend was 4 feetsouth of the northwall of the
trenchalong the westerntrenchwall. This firstdark
stratumis called sub-zone1 ofZone B and is considered
to have been built by refusefromhuman habitation.
Levels 2 through5 were four 6-inch levels dug from
thissub-zone. This darkstratum,sub-zone1, gradually
mergedinto a lightercolored zone, called sub-zone2,
about6 inchesto 1 footthick. This was also considered
to be refusedepositedby thelocal inhabitants and levels
6 and 7 were dug fromit. Sub-zone 2 overlaya layer
of burned clay and chunks of caliche, floor 1, which
thoughindistinctand thin in the southernportionof
the trenchwas almosta footthickin the northernmost
unit. This is level8. Below it was 1 footof darkloam,
evidentlyrefuse,thatbecame level 9, called sub-zone3.
Below this refusewas anotherthin layer composedof
burnedclay and charcoal,called floor2, thatI consider
to be a habitationlayer. This sloped slightlydownward
fromsouth to north,fallingabout 6 inches in 12 feet.
This is level 10. Underneathfloor2 was a grayish
FIG. 10. The vertical profile of the north end of VC-2. This
may be checked against the cross-section drawing of fig-
ure 11.
brownstratum,called sub-zone4. When thiswas dug

no soil differentiationsor sub-zones were apparent,
but after the soil had dried for a week it became
obvious that the stratasloped sharplydownwardfrom
southto north,the bottomof the sub-zonebeing9 feet
deep understake N5 whileit was 11.3 feetdeep at the
northedge of the trench. The first6-inch layer re-
moved fromthis stratumis called level 11. In terms
FIG. 9. A photograph
of thewestwall of VC-2 above Zone C. of the sequence of the potterytypes and the slope of

the sub-zone,the next 6-inch level and next 1-foot is called sub-zone5. The layersfrom81/2to 91/2feet
level in only the north unit are consideredlevel 12 fromthe surfacein unit N5 and from 10 to 11 feet
and 13 respectively (fig. 11,pp. 560-561). The 6-inch from the surface in unit N10, just overlayingand
layerfrom8 to 8?/2feetfromthesurfacein unitN5 and includingpartof the yellowclay stratum(sub-zone 5),
the layer from9?/2to 10 feetfromthe surfacein unit are level 15. The sequence of typesby levels and the
N10 are called level 14. This overlaysthe yellowish slope of the layers seem to justifysuch a staggered
clay zone at the bottomof sub-zone4. This clay zone correlationof the 6-inchlevels in the two units. Thus
CHART 1
FREQUENCIES OF POTTERY TYPES AT THE VARIous LEVELS OF VC-2 ExPRESSED IN PERCENTAGES
.6 .6 .6. .6 .6~
u Cd~~~~~-
c
Levels jC Z~ H
1 ~~~~~5 2 10 2 3 1 10 3 1 1 1 39 11 208 258
2 .19 .01 .01 .07 .16 .03 .47 .07 94

9 4 171 7 8
18 1 1 6 15 2 45 6
3 .19 .01 .04 .07 .18 .02 .37 .07 .02

37 2 7 12 34' 364 12 4 175 7 207 93 482
4 .22 .09 .04 .03 .10 .01 .43 .10

35 14 7 5 15 2 71 16 166 4 160 56 386
5 .01 .42 .00 .1 1 .04 .03 .14 .01 .01 .23 .01
3 126 1 32 13 8 43 3 2 69 2 302 3 153 57 515
6 .01 .67 .00 .05 .03 .06 .09 .01 .01 .12
2 213 1 18 11 20 32 6 2 43 348 57 117 12 534
-
7 .01 .54 .01 .09 .06 .13 .09 .02 .00 .05
9 383 5 61 40 96 67 17 2 39 719 86 269 7 1,081
8 .04 .56 .01 .15 .04 .10 .09 .01 .00

31 425 5 112 32 78 68 2 1 754 199 304 9 1,266
9 .00 .04 .57 .02 .13 .03 .09 .12 .00

4 50 712 25 160 39 114 147 1 1,252 106 711 16 2,085
10 .00 .03 .65 .04 .14 .04 .06 .08

2 35 653 37 138 42 61 751,4 56 33 3 158
11 .00 .07 .59 .07 .10 .04 .06 .06

2 37 289 33 51 21 30 32 495 32 140 6 673
12 .01 .03 .67 .04 .13 .03 .02 .05

2 9 170 10 34 9 6 1325 10 6 3 33
- --
13 .00 .04 .66 .07 .16 .03 .03 .04
1 14 255 28 49 11 10 15 383 20 91 2 496
14 .14 .60 .11 .12 .01 .02

28 120 22 25 3 4 202 18 97 2 319
- --- -
15 .12 .63 .08 .15 .01 .01
28 146 19 34 3 2 232 5 72 8 317
-
16 .00 .13 .65 .11 .10
1 35 166 27 26 3? 258 14 45 9 326
17 .10 .64 .11 .13 .02 .00

18 121 20 25 3 1 188 8 26 47 269
18 .00 .08 .65 .10 .14 .02

1 20 167 26 37 6 257 17 70 41 385
19 .01 .17 .62 .12 .08

4 65 232 44 31 376 36 158 2 572
20 .02 .17 .64 .12 .05

8 68 263 47 22 408 40 165 2 615
21 .11 .35 .57

6 17 28 51 16 16 83
-
22 .04 .88 .08
20 434 39 493 43 71 607
Grand Total 13,573

VOL. 44, PT. 5, 19541 REPORT ON VC-2 553
sub-zone 4 evidentlyrepresentsearth and refusethat depth of 17 feet is almost level, while the surfaceof
had been dumped down an incline. Larger amounts the zone slopes downwardfromsouth to north. The
of refuse dumped in its northernportion gradually stratumis thickeron eitherside of the excavationand
caused its surfaceto becomelevel. Then people were evidentlymuch of the original top of this zone had
able to live on it, formingfloor2. Below sub-zone4 been eroded away in the area of excavation. From
of grayish-brownclayish loam is a 6-inch layer of floor4 to a depthof about24 feetwereeightthinlayers
yellowishclay, evidentlyrepresentinga wash of rela- of cementedrefuse, ash, charcoal, and clay (called
tivelysterileyellow clay down the edge of the bank. floors5 through12), separatedby a layer of compact
This clay alluviumis called sub-zone 5 and overlays sand and clay. Evidentlythese floorsrepresentedoc-
a yellowishbrown stratumof loam called sub-zone6. casional occupationsof the riverflatsby small groups
Layers from91/2feet to 11 feet fromthe surfacein forshortperiodsof time,and thesand represented wind
the N5 unit and the layer from 11 to 12 feet from and water depositslaid down in the intervalsbetween
the surface in the N10 unit, both taking in part of theoccupations.
sub-zone5 and mostof sub-zone6, are called level 16. The materialsfromall the floorsin the analysishave
Below sub-zone6 of brownloam is a layerof yellowish been lumped togetherand called level 22 because of
brownsandy loam. This stratumslopes froma depth the sparsityof materialsfromany one flooras well as
of 10.8 feetat thesouthedge of unit5 to a depthof 13.2 the similarityof materialsfromeach occupationallens.
feet fromthe surfaceat the northend of the trench. The sands of Zone C graduallyincreasedtheirclay
The layersfrom11 to 12 feetfromthe surface,almost contentto a depthof about 24 feetwhen the irregular
entirelyin the upper portionof sub-zone6 in unit N5, surface of the water-impregnated bluish-grayclays
and the layer from12 to 13 feet fromthe surfacein was encountered. Water at a depthof 26 feethalted
unitN10, takingin the lowerportionof sub-zone5 and work. No artifactswere foundin theclays.
the upper portionof sub-zone6, are entitledlevel 17.
The lower portionsof sub-zone6 in both squares are CERAMICS OF VC-2
level 18. Sub-zone 6 evidently represents refuse INTRODUCTION
dumpeddowna bank.
Below sub-zone 6 was a dark layer of clay, loam, In the excavationsof VC-2 about 15,000 potsherds
ash, and charcoalabout 1 footto 11/2feetthick. The were found. It was hoped thatanalysisof thesesherds
top of this layersloped fromapproximatelya depthof in lightof theirstratigraphicpositionin the excavations
13 feetfromthe surfacein the southend of thistrench would show the ceramicchangesthat had taken place
to about 15 feetfromthe surfaceat the northend of and allow for the delineationof ceramic periods. It
the trench. Over much of the surface in the south was feltthata sequenceof ceramicperiodsand ceramic
portionof this layer were chunksof wattleand daub, complexesmightgive a measuringstickby whichthe
thin horizontallylaid pieces of burned clay and thin movementsof peoples, diffusionof traits,and other
patches of charcoal lying horizontally. This is con- culturalchangesmightbe comprehended.It was par-
sideredto be theremainsof a house floor,floor3. Also ticularlyfortunatethat Gordon Ekholm had already
extendingdown from this layer in unit N 10 was a made an excellentstart in establishingpotterytypes
large pit. This stratumis called sub-zone 7 and is in thisarea and it was hopedthatthesematerialswould
consideredto be an occupationallayer. Level 19 came supplement his finedata.14
fromthislayer. The pottery,afterfirstbeingwashed and catalogued
Underlyingthe occupationallayer,sub-zone 7, was undermywife'sand myown supervision,was placed in
a stratumof light brownish-yellowloose sand and boxes correspondingto each unit and level. Next
artifacts(sub-zone 8). The bottomof this stratum threelarge tables were markedoffinto columns,each
was wavy,irregularlyshaped,and hard to findduring columncorresponding to a level. Owing to the great
excavation. The 1-footlevel froma surfacedepth of numberof sherdsand the relativelysmall space on the
14 to 15 feetin unitN5 and the 1-footlevel from15 to tables it was decidedto analyze only unit N10 at first,
16 feetin unit N10 (level 20) includedsub-zone8 and so the sherdsfromthatunitwere laid out on the table
a small portionof the next lower zone. Sub-zone 8 in theirappropriatepositions.
representsthe stratumabove the disconformity between The primaryconceptualtool for showing ceramic
Zones B and C. It has been interpreted as havingbeen changesand delineatingceramicperiods was the "pot-
depositedby alluviumand refusethat was washed or terytype." I conceivea potterytypeas being a class
dumpedontothe erodedsurfaceof Zone C. or group of sherds composed of interrelatedsimilar
Level 21 comprisesthe area fromthe top of Zone C ceramicfeaturesor modesof ceramicfeaturesthathave
down to the firstoccupationallevel in thatzone. This temporal(stratigraphic)or spatial significance.15To
sub-zone, composed of cemented sand containinga me, a potterytype is an arbitraryclassificationof a
small amount of clay, was comparativelysterile of continuumof ceramicchangesand variationsof ceramic
culturalremains. As may be noted in figure2, the 14 G. Ekholm,1944.
bottomof the stratumoverlyingfloor4 at a surface 15 W. A. Ritchieand R. S. MacNeish,1949: 98.

featuresinto units that will assist in reconstructing There were, of course, a few sherds that had such
historyand understanding theculturalchangesthattook individualitythat they defied classificationinto any
place. It was feltthatceramictypescouldbe arbitrarily establishedtypes. These have been called aberrant
establishedby a comparisonof the sherds (with their sherds and may representtrade sherds. I have en-
variousceramicfeatures)fromthevariousstratigraphic deavoredto identify themwheneverpossible,as well as
levelsand determining whatthechangeswere. Ceramic to have otherindividualsworkingin the Middle Ameri-
featuresmay be definedas the variations of paste can field identifythem. Generallyspeaking,I have
(temper,consistency, color,firing,etc.), surfacefinish, not been successful. However, I will describe the
decoration,shape,and appendages. sherdsand illustratethemwith the hope that at some
In the analysis,once the sherdsfromunit N10 had futuredate, if they are trade sherds,futureworkers
been laid out in columns marked on the table cor- will identifythem and will thus, perhaps,bettercor-
respondingto their respectivestratigraphiclevels, an relatemyperiodswithothersin Mexico.
examinationof the paste was undertaken. It was In describingthe potterytypes I shall endeavorto
foundthat therewere six general paste groups,some adhere to the usual tenets of potterydescription.'6
of whichhad stratigraphic significance.For example: Furthermore,I shall describe the changes that take
group 1 had excellentconsistency, verysmall amounts place withinthe typesas well as indicatethe temporal
ofveryfine,almostmicroscopic, sand and calcitetemper (stratigraphic)significance of the types. In the sum-
and was fired to a hardness of about 4.5. It had maryon potterytypesI shall also attemptto describe
temporal significancein that it appeared in large and illustratethe more general ceramicdevelopments
amountsonlyin Zone C and was virtuallyabsentin the and introductions of new stylisticconcepts.
upperlevelsof Zone B. Once the types and sub-typeswere established,a
Next the surfacefinishof the sherds was studied. large frequencychartof theirstratigraphic positionin
There were seven kinds of surfacefinish (see chart termsof levelswas drawn (see chart1). In the cross-
3). It became immediatelyapparent that the six section drawingthe levels are markedby black lines
paste groups could be furtherdivided into twelve (see fig. 11). With this orderingof the data it was
paste-surfacefinishgroups,nine of which had strati- possibleto set up periods. It was possiblealso to cor-
graphic,i.e., temporal,significance. Now the twelve relate these periods with those of Ekholm by com-
paste-surfacefinishgroups were examinedas to kinds parison with his frequencychart and his potterytype
of decoration. descriptions.It was feltthata periodshouldbe repre-
Here it was necessarynot onlyto use the tables but sentedby a distinctiveseries of potterytypes,or sub-
also to put the decorationson charts,various levels types,and potteryfeaturesin a numberof consecutive
constitutingthe ordinate and the various kinds of levels. Thus a new period could be recognizedby a
decorationtheabscissa (see chart4). I faceda dilemma series of changes,such as the introduction of two or
in typologyat this time for it became apparentthat more new types or sub-types,the dyingout of older
manyof the sherdsin each paste-surfacefinishgroup typesor radical shiftsin the frequencyof older types,
were not decorated,and, secondly,that occasionally or the introductionof a numberof radical changes
specimenswiththe same kindof decorationhad exactly withintypes. Since mostof thepotteryis monochrome
the same stratigraphic althoughthe sherds and not greatlyvaried in paste, and since the greatest
significance,
belonged to two or three of the paste-surfacefinish changesare withintypesor by sub-types,perhapsmy
classes. The same difficulty was faced in comparisons delineationof new periodshas been too fineand does
of vessel formand appendages (see chart 5). For not representquite such radical shiftsas are to be
this reason it was decided that the nine paste-surface found in Ekholm's followingperiods. However, it
finishgroups having significant stratigraphicvariation mustbe rememberedthatmy periods are considerably
shouldbe called typesand thatvariationsin decoration, older and that, particularlyin the beginning,the
shape, and appendages, if they had significancein stylistic conceptsand ceramicfeaturesare notnumerous
time, were to be called changes withinthe type, or and that the ceramicchanges,thoughnot numerically
sub-types. Thus I avoided settingup types on the so great as those of Ekholm, are percentage-wise
basis of decorationor vessel formonly. Besides the muchgreater.
types I establishedin my analysis,it was possible to Ekholm had previouslyestablishedsix periods for
classify certain sherds into types that Ekholm had thearea of Panuco andnumbered themPeriodsI toVI.17
alreadyset up. As will be shown, my materials,though overlapping
After the study of the ceramics of unit N 10 was withhis Period I, are for the most part much earlier.
completed,a similarstudyof the restof the excavation
was made,the resultscompared,and the typeschecked. 16 Report of the Conference on Southeastern Pottery
The sherdswere laid out on the floorwhichhad been Typology, held at the Ceramic Repository for the Eastern
States, Museum of Anthropology,University of Michi-
markedoffthe same as the surfaceof the table. Ac- United gan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 16-17, 1938 (mimeographed)
tually,no important differencebetweenthetwo analyses cf. Ford and Quimby,1945: 52-67.
was noted. 17 G. Ekholm, 1944.

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560 \1AcNEISH: ARCHAEOLOGICAI, SITE IN VERA CRUZ [TRANS. AMER. PHIL. SOC.
8N5 0-o0 N5O
LEGEND
Z01ThA
Prom left to right may be seem three

profile drawings or the south, west
L2 nub- sub- 12 1
and north sides of the trench, VO-2. Le2
The various strata are indicated by 4 2. 4
soil symabols explained in the soil 3.5 sub- sub- L
L6 zone zone 2 P6
key in the upper right fr leel.
xnds corner.
hand Znes, ub-znes |g ... 5 eb- 2 4 Flo lo
'L' ........... L i.............. 1
zbzn
Levels are indicated by horizontal sb
black lines running accross the pro- L0Floor
3.10 1 sub-one loor
3
2J.10
filtos with tkreir enumerationindicat.. NllJ ubzn
3.1Ll
ed in the space between the profiles. 43.14 41 L
*LO saLinds for level. Zones, sub-zones E3.15oe

and floors are noted in the space be-
tween the pZofile drawings.At the top
of the profile dra:,eings are the stake
L6
zone 6 B sub-zone 6 3.16
numbers of thte units immneadiately to L17.17

the north. These atakes Were fiv~e feet31 lor31
&part. At the bottom of the nortn and sub- ~~~sub-zone

7
weet profiles u-ndulating lines denot 19.19
water or the water level. f ' ". .*:
3.0 sub- sub-zone 8
zone 8 32
-. eq~uals one foot. ..
L~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3.21 3.21
Floor 4 & 5 Floor 4&5
/'Floor 67lo
sub-~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~F(
Floor?ZONE C for
Floor 8 Floor 8
Floor 9
Floor 10 "e1ej,5.y
{
Floor 11
3.22 3.22
ZONED Z2*
FIG.

ff15 ff15
SOIL KEY
::::::::
ZONE
B t.1
A DBrown-grayloam ad cand
:,:: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~LI
.....,.............
I2 \_ _ t L2 2 _ i L Compast gray Saed
// L3 sub- ub- L3 _
L4 zone z one L4 _1,
LD 1 o 1 L5 Loose brown send and
rofuce
u
zn6 aub sub-zone
LW 2 |u
/t[ L8 Floor 1 l | Rloor 1 L / / / \^Black refuao, losm and clay
L9 sub-zone 3 Z sub-zone 3
1
0 Floor 2 F
Floor 2 Charcoal burned clay, ash and TefUSe
L12 N
E (
/ / / / / / / Yellowish brown refuse, clay and loam
L1S sub-zone 4 4 L.1 /77//////'\
J
L14 I
L14_
S L15 I - flXX X,,, Browli3h yellow clay
BB
~<L15L1
Y///
-, ~~sub-zone 5 sub-zone 5 / / Xo s/
7 subzonszL16 e | s z L16 Cocpact yellowish brovin refuse, clay and cand
L176 u-oe6sbzn 1
Ll7 s |ub-zone
B b-zone6 6su -4 , brownish
/////ELoose gray refuse and sand
"'-$; L18 18 /X/'?zz
',
sub-zone 7 sb-zone 7L Compact bluish gray clay
subb--zonej L1
L20isubzone sub-zone 8
L20
L21~~~~~~~~~~~2
Floo 4 Floor 4.
Floor 5 6 Floor - ..........g.
... .. . .
O
. .......
*' Floor 6 EFor 7

* .. . * == p \~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.1
1 ... . . . .
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. :..-. . . . . . . .::.:.:........ ...... ......
Y,//#a5/4O' Floor 9 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~..

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p~#e~-4e
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10 Floor 1 0 .... ....L2.
..,L2.lor.1...a;
F ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ZONE
Floor 11 C ...... For1
=
11. Floor 1
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Continuationof his numericalsystem is, of course, the resultof the smoothingof coils. Examinationof a
illogical, and the establishmentof a new numerical few cross-sectionsunder a microscopegave no further
nomenclaturethat would includeboth his periods and clue to the methodof manufacture. Sherds vary be-
mine faces the difficulty that in the futurefurther tween1/8and 1/4inchin thickness.
earlierperiods may be foundand that studentsin the Exterior clay surfacesunder the wash are usually
field may find themselvessomewhat confused by a pinkishand well smoothed,while interiorsurfacesare
shiftingperiod designation. Therefore,I propose that undulatingand carelessly smoothed. Exterior sur-
periods in this area be given place or proper names. faces and neck interiorshave a wash of chalkywhite
This will not only allow for additionof new (earlier) paint which was smoothlyapplied but not polished.
periods but also may be of great assistance in the Many sherdsshowevidenceof thispaintbeingwornoff.
naming of periods in sequences fromthe same area Decorationis absent.
that show a great deal of individualvariation.18It is All 25 rim sherdsfromZone C come fromthe same
therebyproposedthatthe followingchanges be made: shaped vessel type thoughapparentlythey belong to
thatEkholm's Period VI be called the Panuco Period; at least 12 different vessels. The typicalvessel is a
Period V, the Las Flores Period; Period IV, the small mouthedolla witha flaringrimand a pointedlip
Zaquil Period; Period III, the PithayasPeriod; Period (fig. 12, no. 11 & 12). The shortcylindricalstraight
II, the El Prisco Period; Period I, the Chila Period; or slightlyflaringneckis at rightangles or at an acute
and thatmy threeearlierperiods be called (fromlate angle to an almosthorizontalshoulderthatroundsinto
to early) the Aguilar,Ponce, and Pavon Periods. a taperingor globularbody. Bottomsare small,about
the same diameteras the mouth,and flattened.
PAVON PERIOD With two exceptionsfromlater levels,specimensof
thispotterytypeconsistently have identicalpaste, sur-
This period is representedonly in Zone C in VC-2, face finish,and vessel form. There appear to be no
levels21 and 22. The materialfromthisperiodcomes changeswithinthistypethroughtime.
from the nine thin occupation levels in the hard
Temporallythis type is characteristicof the Pavon
cementedsands. From the evidenceat the site it ap-
Period thoughit does appear to be decreasingin the
pears that the occupationswere of shortdurationand late stage of the period,level 21. It carries on into
were by relativelysmall numbersof people.
the Ponce Period as a minoritytype and gradually
The period is characterizedby the dominance of fadesout in the Aguilar Period.
Progreso Metallic ware, a very limited number of
It appears unrelatedto any typesI have seen from
vessel forms(5) withsurfacefinishof a red or white
Mexico, althoughit seems to be similar to an early
monochrome wash. The onlydecorationis on Progreso
type Shook verbally described as coming from his
White and it has patternscomposed of overlapping
earliest period, Las Charcas, under Miraflores at
cylindricalpunches on the interiorbottomsof bowls.
Kaminaljuyunear Guatemala City. Black ware ollas
Negativetraitssuch as the absenceof vessel feet,han-
fromthe Mamom period of Uaxactun are similarin
dles, incisedor painteddecorations,spindlewhorls,ear
shape.
ornaments,wattle and daub, obsidian chips, and the
rarityof figurinesare equally distinctive. However, Progreso White
the period is poorly definedby this excavation,only
690 sherds being found. Future work should start This type has tempersimilar to that of Progreso
withthishorizonand continueback in time. Metallic, being small white particles of quartz and
calichein abundantamounts. However,theconsistency
ProgresoMetallic is somewhatpoorerthan ProgresoMetallic; sherdsare
slightlyporousand occasionallythereare smalllamina-
The temperis very small, pin-pointsize flakes of tions. Sherds have a definitesandy feel. The firing,
calicheand quartz. They are in abundantamountsand by an oxidizingprocess,appears to be even but cross-
give the pink paste a whitespeckledappearance. The sections of sherds show the interiorto be gray or
consistencyof the paste is very compact. Sherd sur- grayishblack while the portionsnearerthe surfaceare
faces under the paint have a slightlysandy feel about eitherlightgray or salmon pink. Hardness is about
like thatof emerycloth. Firing appears to have been 3.5. Sherds varybetweenone-quarterand five-eighths
even as the paste is uniformin color. The majority of an inch in thickness,averagingabout 3/8inch thick.
of sherdshave a salmonpinkcolor,thougha veryfew The clay surfaceof the sherdsis smoothand covered
approacha brownishgray. Firing may have been by by a thin wash of chalk white chalky-feeling paint.
an oxidizing process. Hardness is just a little less During this early period the paint wash was quite
than 4.5 and the sherdswhen droppedare brittleand thin but appears to become thickerand more durable
give offa metallicring. An examinationof the inner in later times.
surfaces of sherds shows undulationsthat might be Decorationoccurson the interiorbottomsof vessels.
18 Such as the Tancol complex. O,nlyabout half of the pieces of the interiorbottom

are decorated(26 sherds). The decorationis made by thattypeof decorationof overlappingcircularpunctates
impressinga cylinder (hollow reed or bird bone?) is out of the Middle Americantraditionand would be
between1/4and 1/8inch in diameterinto the wet clay. muchmoreat homein the easternUnited States. The
These impressionsusuallyoverlapone anotherto form outslopingbowl with a flat bottomand no feet has
lines or rows. Aroundthe junctionof the bottomand generalsimilarities withformsin Mamomat Uaxactun,
sides there is usually a single line of overlapping Lower Tres Zapotes, Monte Alban I, Yojoa Mono-
punchesforminga circlearoundthe edge of the bottom chrome,Playa de los Muertos,and Miraflores.
of the bowl. Inside thiscircularline thereare opposed
trianglesor squares filledwith parallel lines of over- Heavy Buff
lapping punches. Each opposed triangleor square is
The large grit (between 1 and 3 mm. in diameter)
separatedfromthe othersby an undecoratedarea (fig.
or clay grittemperis abundant. The consistency of the
12, no. 10) or by an undecoratedarea followedby
paste is extremelypoor, being crumblyand granular.
one or two straightlines of overlappingpunchesand
The firingis uneven and very poor. The exteriorof
thenanotherundecoratedarea (fig. 12, no. 8-9). One
sherds is usually brownishbuff though occasionally
sherd is decorated by a spiral line of overlapping
areas are blackened. However, a few of the sherds
punchesradiatingout fromthe centerof the bottomof
do not appear to have been firedat all, as theycom-
the bowl (fig. 12, no. 7). This puncheddecorationon
pletelydissolved in water. With some of the sherds
Progreso White occurs mainlyin Zone C, the Pavon
the interiorsdissolved in water but the surfacesdid
Period, thougha few sherdssporadicallyappear in the
not. It would appear that many vessels of this type
Ponce Period and the lower levels of the Aguilar
were only brieflyexposed to a low firingtemperature.
Period. It is considereda sub-typeof ProgresoWhite
Hardness is about two or less. Thicknessvaries be-
(i.e., Progreso White, CylindricalPunctate) and defi-
tween1/2and 11/4inch.
nitely representsthe firstof a series of changes of
Exterior surfaceshave been smoothedwhile wet or
decorationthatoccurwithinthetype. Two sherdsfrom
with wet objects. Interiorsare scraped and poorly
level21, foundonlya fewinchesfromthepit extending
smoothed. Decorationis absent. The one rim sherd
down fromsub-zone7 of Zone B, have incisedparallel
unearthedis outflaring witha flattenedlip. Evidently
lines on them. These two sherdseitherrepresentthe
theonlyvesselformis thatof theoutflaring wide mouth
firstof a series of changes in decorativetechniqueor
olla witha globularbodyand probablya flatbottom.
were intrusivefromthe Zone B pit.
This potteryis also unique for Meso-America in
The dominantformis a flaring-sided, flat-bottomed
thatit is withoutdoubt the most poorlymade pottery
bowl. Rims are eitherstraightwalled,outslopingand
so far discoveredin that area. It is ratherhard to
tapering, straightoutsloping and thickeningtoward
conceivethatthepeoplesmakingthewell-fired Progreso
the lip (fig. 17, no. 1-6), or out-flaringand tapering
Mletallicdeigned to make this crude ware. The type
toward the lip (fig. 17, no. 7-9). Bottoms of the
is closely related to Heavy Plain and occurs as a
bowls are flat. No appendagesappear. Two sherdsof
minority ware throughout the firstthreeperiods.
an incurvedrim bowl and one sherd of a flaring-sided
bowl witha slightlyconvexbottomwere foundin level
Heavy Plain
21 and foreshadowchangesin vessel formsin the Ponce
Period. The paste is verygranularand has abundantcoarse
Temporally,thistypeis significant in thatit extends quartz-grittemper. The firingis even and in cross-
throughall of the threeearliestperiods of this region sectiontheinsideareas are blackor graywitha gradual
and dies out in the early stages of the Chila Period. blendinginto the brownor brownishorange surfaces.
The temporal significanceof the sub-typeProgreso Hardnessis between2.5 and 3. In thicknessthesherds
White, CylindricalPunctate,is that it appears in sig- rangebetweenone-halfand one inch.
nificantamountsonlyin the Pavon Period. Surfacesare poorlysmoothedand slightlyover half
As far as relationshipsare concerned,the type is the sherdshave a thinwash of red paint. Decoration
obviouslyancestral to the later variants of Progreso is absent.
White and to Chila White. In fact,in the upperlevels Rim sherdsare outflaring and contractintoa rounded
of thisexcavationand in VC-1 thereis a gradualfading slightlyoverhanginglip. Bodies are globular. The
into Chila White as the paste becomes laminatedand two extantsectionsof basal portionsshow bottomsto
the temperlarger, coarser and more granular. The be flat. The vesselformappearsto be a flaringrimmed
sherds of this type in the upper levels of VC-2 are smallmouthedolla withflattened bottom.
most arbitrarilyseparated from Chila White, par- This type of utilitarianware runs fromthe earliest
ticularlysince the slip, shape, feetand typeof decora- period so far discoveredto historictimes. There are
tion are also the same. The decorationof this early minorchangesin lip and rimformin the earlierthree
variant of Progreso White (i.e., Progreso White, periods; these, coupled with later developmentsof
CylindricalPunctate) cannot at presentbe duplicated brushingapplique decorationand the use of handles,
in any Middle American ceramic complex. In fact, appear to representchangeswithinthe type. Some of

1e 1
1 _12
FIG. 12 ('/2 natural size).

these early red washed sherds from VC-2 are very PONCE PERIOD
similar to red slipped daub ware fromthe Mamom
There evidentlyis a time gap betweenthe Pavoi
phase of Uaxactun.
and Ponce Periods. This is apparentnot only froimi
Conclusions the influxof new ceramicconceptsin the Ponce Period
but from the erosional disconformitv between Zones
The Pavon Period is stratigraphicallythe oldest so B and C. The Ponce Period includeslevels 14 through
far foundin the Huasteca. It is not well represented 20, about the lower thirdof Zone B. The exact top
in the 1948 excavations. Thoughthe ProgresoMetallic of the period in termsof the stratigraphiccut is, of
type is well made and far fromprimitivein construc- course,arbitraryand is predicatedupon the introduc-
tion,this horizondoes have certainfeaturesthat mark tionof new ceramictypesand concepts. Typologically,
it as early and near the beginningof the development the period seems to have come to a halt duringthe
of the more sophisticatedcultures of the Huasteca. earlydumpingofrefuseto formsub-zone4, nottoo long
The followingtraitsmark this horizon as being defi- after the depositionof the clay alluvium called sub-
nitelycrude and more primitivethan other horizons zone 5. Ceramnically, the period is fairlywell repre-
so far unearthedin Mexico: the limiteduse of mono- sentedwitha sampleof 2,803 sherds.
chrome (red or white) surfacefinish;decorationsby
overlappingcylindricalpunchingsonly (on a verysmall ProgresoMetallic
proportionof the sherds) ; the general absence of
incisingor engraving,paintingor grooving;the limited As far as can be determined, the paste and surface
numberof vessel forms,the major kinds being flat- finishcontinueto be the same as in the Pavon Period.
bottomflaring-sided bowls, small mouthedflaringrim Decoration is absent except for one sherd that has a
pear- or globular-bodiedpots with
ollas, flat-bottomed seriesof smallappliqueridgeson the shoulderradiating
flaringnecks at an acute angle to the shoulder; the fromthe neck (see fig.12, no. 11). Of the seven rims
extremelypoor paste of about one-thirdof the pottery; and necksfound,six are fromvesselsof the same shape
and the completelack of appendages such as tripod as in the previous period. One sherd, however,ap-
feet or handles. It would appear either that this pears to be froma hemispherical bowl. The two basal
periodat Panuco representspartof an earlygeneralized portionsfoundare flatand slightlyconcave.
stage of developmentthat occurs throughoutMiddle Generallyspeaking,thereare no changes withinthe
Americaor thatthe Huasteca is an area of culturallag type. In termsof frequency,it has droppedfromits
and the Pavon Period representsan earlycrude adop- dominancein the Pavon Period to a minorityware
tion of ceramic concepts from centers of Formative rangingbetween8 and 17 per centof the sherdsfound
culturesthathad alreadygone througha developmental at any of thelevelsof theperiod.
period.
Progreso White
FIG. 12. National Museum of Canada Neg. No. M 215.
The paste and surfacefinishcontinuethe samiie as in
1. Progreso White-sub-type Hub and Spoke-hub and spoke the previous period; however,there appear to be a
filled with crosshatchingfrom square N5, level 20, Ponce
Period.
numberof changeswithinthe type.
2. Progreso White-sub-type Hub and Spoke-hub and spoke One of the greatestof thesechangesis in decoration.
filledwith parallel lines, Ponce Period. Out of 683 interiorbottompieces about half were tn-
3. Progreso White-sub-type Hub and Spoke-hub and spoke decorated,only 14 had the punctuatedecorationso
filledwith parallel lines, Ponce Period. characteristicof the Pavon Period (Progreso White,
4. Progreso White-sub-type Hub and Spoke-diagonally op-
posite squares filled with crosshatchingfrom Ponce Period. CylindricalPunctate), while 282 had the newly in-
5. Progreso White-sub-type Hub and Spoke-diagonally op- troduced techniqueof incising. The introductionof
posite squares filled with parallel lines from Ponce Period. incised decorationon interiorbottoms representsa
6. Progreso White, undifferentiated with straightparallel lines. major changewithinthetype. The incisingis relatively
7. Progreso White-sub-type Cylindrical Punctate-spiral de-
fineor narrow,thoughsloppilyexecuted. The fineness
sign made composed of overlapping cylindrical punctates
fromPavon Period. of the incising indicates that its purpose is purely
8. Progreso White-sub-type Cylindrical Puiictate-areas filled decorative; thus the bowls are not true molcajetes
overlapping cylindricalpunctates separated fronm other areas thoughtheyresemblesuch.
by undecorated areas and one to two straight lines of over- Since the sherdswere simallin size, the totaldecora-
lapping cylindricalfrom Pavoni Period.
9. Progreso White-sub-type Cylindrical Punctate-variety of tive motifswere difficultto reconstruct. Generally
decoration same as above. speaking, the basic decorative elements were cross-
10. Progreso White-sub-type Cylindrical Puictate-areas filled hatchedand parallellines. Stratigraphically,the cross-
with overlapping cylindrical punctates in opposition to ui1- hatchedlines are dominantin the earlierlevels of the
decorated areas from Pavon Period.
11. Late variant of Progreso Metallic with appliqued ridge oi1
period while the parallellines are dominantin the late
shoulder-rimcross-section indicated-from Ponce Period. part of the period. All decorationsare on interior
12. Progreso Metallic rim sherd from Pavon Period. bottomsof bowls except for five sherds with a single

engravedline on the outerrim. These fivesherdsmay by the end of the period flaring-sidedbowls withdefi-
well representPonce Black vesselsfiredin an oxidizing nite exteriorlyconvex bottoms (composite silhouette
atmosphere. bowls) are on the increase. Recurvedrim bowls with
As faras I was able to determine, therewere at least convex bottomsoccur in this period and seem to fore-
nine typesof design. In the early part of the period shadow the dominantshape that appears on the later
were found sherds with a checkerboarddesign, the Aguilar Red type. Incurved rim bowls, verticalcon-
diagonally opposite sets of squares bearing cross- cave-sided bowls, hemisphericalbowls, flaring-sided
hatchedlines while the otherswere blank (fig. 12, no. bowls with a basal ridge, small ollas and dishes also
4). Very similar to this motifwas a checkerboard occur. A few crude pieces of effigy ware occur. The
design with one set of alternatingsquares filledwith effigybowls are usually incurvedrim bowls with the
parallel lines while the others were blank (fig. 12, ears (and perhapslips and nose) modelledbut features
no. 5). This was a rare motiffoundon only a few like hair, eyes, and mouth shown by incising. They
sherds (8) in the early part of the period (levels are oftensmallin size.
17-20). One is temptedto conjecturethat this motif Vessel appendages,such as spouts,handles,or feet,
was derivedfromthe alternatingopposed trianglesor are absent.
squaresfilledwithparallellinesof overlappingcylindri- In terms of relationship,the various sub-typesof
cal punchesfoundin thepreviousperiod. A verycom- ProgresoWhiteare obviouslyderivedfromthevariants
mon designin the earlypartof the periodand continu- of the type in the earlier period and are ancestralto
ing into the next period in lesser amountsis like a Chila Whiteof a laterperiod. Some of thevesselforms
wagon wheel with a large hub and shortwide spokes ofthetypehave widerimplications thatwillbe described
and with a single incisedline representing the rim of later.
the wheel. The areas in the hub and in the spokesare
filledwith cross-hatchedlines, while the area between Ponce Black
the spokes is undecorated. There are fromfour to The temperis minutespecks of white caliche and,
ten spokes. In the tables this is referredto as "hub rarely,finesand. The paste is not so compactas that
and spokes filledwithcross-hatching"(see fig. 12, no. of Chila White, being slightlyporous. The paste is
1). Similarto this motifis one in whichthe hub and usuallyblack and rarelyis mousygray in color. The
spoke areas are filledwithparallel lines (fig. 12, no. 2 same color usually persists from surface to surface
& 3). This is dominantin the laterpart of the Ponce withno lightening of colornear thesurfaces. However,
Period but carrieson intothe Chila Period. The four on the usually black exteriorsurfacesthereare occa-
types of decoration (above) compose the sub-type, sionallymottledfinecloudlikepatchesof grayishwhite.
ProgresoWhite, Hub and Spoke Design. There also The grayishwhitepatchesoccur usually on the outer
appear in this period sherds showing alternateareas sides and the bottom. Microscopicstudyof cross-sec-
of cross-hatching and parallellines (see fig.14, no. 10), tionsrevealsthesepatchesto be made by firing,as they
areas of cross-hatching separatedby two to eightparal- blend imperceptiblyinto the blackened areas. The
lel lines (see fig.14, no. 12), and sherdswithopposed potteryappears to have been firedin a reducingat-
areas filledwithparallel lines,the parallellines of one mosphere,with the main portionof the clay reducing
area being roughlyat rightangles to the parallel lines to a black color, owing to its chemical constituents.
of the next area (see fig.13, no. 14 or fig.14, no. 11). However, eitherthe chemicalmakeupof a portionof
(The small size of the sherdspreventsthe determina- the surfacewas such that it firedwhite even though
tion of the shape and size of the areas.) These last it was in the same reducing atmosphere,or, at an
three motifsare more commonnear the end of the auspicious moment,some portion of the vessel was
Period and in the Aguilarperiodand composethe sub- exposed brieflyto an oxidizing atmosphere. This
type Progreso White, Opposed Areas. In this period process suggestsa considerablespecializedknowledge
a few of the parallel lines appear to be made by a of the chemistry and firingof clays.
toothedobject draggedover the wet clay. Some bot- The hardnessof Ponce Black averages about 4 with
tomsappear to be coveredonlyby cross-hatching while the black areas noticeablyharderthanthe whiteareas.
othersonly have straightparallel lines. Near the end Sherds vary in thicknessbetween1/4 and 3/4inch in
of the perioda fewof the parallellines are curved,not thickness.
straight. These do not appear to have any special Surfacesof the vesselsare usuallypolishedand there
temporalsignificanceand the twentysherds of this is a tendencyfor the blackenedinteriorsto be better
region are included in the general Progreso White polishedthanthe exteriors. As statedbefore,exterior
type (undifferentiated as to sub-type). portionsof the vessels sometimeshave white or gray
In termsof vessel form,the straightoutslopingand areas.
flaring-sidedbowls with flat bottoms of the Pavon Decoration occurs on only 14 sherds. Five sherds
Period continue,but many new vessel formsappear. bear incisingon the flat interiorbottoms. Four of
Straight outsloping and flaring-sidedbowls with a these sherds are small and show only a few parallel
slightlyconvex base appear to be very numerous,bht lines on them,while the fifthis very large, displaying

parallel lines inside triangles(fig. 13, no. 14). The are concave. The next most commonrim class con-
decorationson the other nine sherds occur on the sists of outcurvingflared rims that contracttoward
exteriorof the rims of bowls and are a single en- the lip. These may be part of flaring-sided bowls or
graved line (post-firing incising), encirclingthe vessel wide mouth ollas. Vertical-sidedjars with either a
just belowthelip on theouterrim (fig. 13, no. 9). shortsharplyoutflaring rimor witha straightexterior
Shapes show some variationsstratigraphically; these surfaceand expandedlips thatover-hanginteriorly are
representchanges withinthe type. During the early found. One rim of a compositesilhouettedish was
part of the Ponce Period, vessels appear to be mainly discovered. As shall be noted later, one small frag-
hemispherical,incurved-rimbowls or incurved-rim mentof a cylindricalobject of Heavy Buffpaste was
bowlswitha slightshortstraightening ofthelip. In the uncovered. This cylindricalobject mightbe part of
followingperiod,a series of new vessel formsappear an unsupportedspout. If such is true,thisobject sug-
for this type and the originalvessel formsare in the gests a furtherlink between Lower Tres Zapotes,
minority. This influxof new formshas its meager Mamom,and Ponce.
beginningsin the late part of the Ponce Period with
the appearance of one rim sherd of a flaringsided Heavy Plain
bowl,and one sherdof a bowl withstraight,outsloping Paste, surfacefinish,and decorationare the same as
sides. Bottomsappearto be flator almostso. in the previousperiod. The older vessel form,small
As regards relationships,there are no predecessors mouthed ollas with outflaringrims contractinginto
for thistypein our area. The typeis mainlyconfined roundor pointedlips,continues,butnew minorvariants
to the Ponce Period, thoughit continueson into the with slightlydifferentrim treatmentappear. Small
next period. It may be involvedin the ancestryof El mouthedollas withthickenedroundedlips and slightly
Prisco Black of the El Prisco Period (Ekholm's Period outflaringnecks appear for the firsttime,and in later
II).19 Outside of the area Ponce Black appears to be timestheybecomethe mostcommonform. Ollas with
definitelyrelated to the Black Ware of Lower Tres verticaloutflaring rimsat an acuteangleto theneckand
Zapotes. The minuteparticlesof caliche as temper, bowls with straightoutslopingrims occur. A few
thepaste,the use of a reducingatmosphere, turningthe sherdswithoutred paint are fromhemispherical bowls
insides and most of surfaceblack, in conjunctionwith and outflaring-rimmed flatbottombowls.
patchesof a grayishwhite,the blackpolish,the decora-
Two rim sherdsof a vessel formunknownto other
tion consistingof an engravedline on the outer rim-
ceramicassemblagesoccur. These sherds seem to be
lip junction, the vessel forms of hemispherical(or
fromvessels with a small mouth (about 2 to 3 inches
"open curved sided") 20 bowls, incurved rim bowls, in diameter) whose rims slope toward the mouthlike
flaring-sided bowls with flatbottoms,and the lack of
a truncatedcone. These inslopingrims are separated
appendages such as feet or handles are sufficient sig-
fromthe shortverticalnecks by a ridge of clay. The
nificantsimilaritiesto indicatethat the two are defi-
necksappear to be attachedto globularbodies withflat
nitelyrelated. On the basis of the relationshipof the
bottoms(see fig.13, no. 1 & 2).
two types,one can provisionally equate the Lower Tres
On some of the red paintedsherds,the paint covers
Zapotes Period of southernVera Cruz or a portionof
the exteriorand extends about an inch over the lip
it withthe Ponce Period of Panuco.21 The few sherds
down onto the interiorneck. Many of these sherds
of black ware fromthe Mamom phase of Uaxactun
are flaring-necked ollas with a contractingor pointed
that I examinedappear to be very similaras to paste,
lip. These features,coupled with theirdark granular
firing, and decoration, thoughvesselformsare somewhat
coarse paste, make them appear extremelysimilarto
different.Thus it would seem that a Black ware at
some of thedaub ware jars I have seen fromUaxacttin.
earlytimesextendedfromthePetento Tampico,indica-
All thefeaturesof thistraitare not overlycomplexand
tive of a significantcultural connectionthroughout
accidentalduplicationof the featuresby othergroups
thisarea.
is of course possible. However,I cannothelp but feel
Heavy Buff that these sherds from the two areas are somehow
related. Certainlyone is justifiedin suggestingthat
The paste and surfacefinishremainthe same as in both may be survivalsof early red painted utilitarian
the previousperiod. Changes withinthe type occur, ware that was commonto both Mamom of Uaxactun
however,in that five new vessel formsappear. The and the Ponce Period of Panuco. Ekholm has previ-
mostcommonof theseformsis a dish (or pot cover?) ously noted R. E. Smith's opinion that some of the
which has a flat bottomand a short widely flaring red paintedware of Heavy Plain of the Chila Period
side with a pointedlip. The interiorsof these dishes bears a certainresemblanceto daub ware.22 The Chila
19G. Ekholm, 1944. Period sherds of Heavy Plain, red variety,which I
20 Drucker 1943a. have studied have considerablyless resemblancethan
21 Incidentally, in
examining the sherds from the two areas theseearlierPonce Period varieties.
I would have resorted them incorrectly had I not consulted
the catalogue numbers. 22 G. Ekholm,1944: 424-425.

572 MACNEISH: ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE IN VERA CRUZ [TRANS. AMER. PHIL. SOC.
12~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~F.
13 (? naua size).
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VOL. 44, PT. 5, 1954| REPORT ON VC-2 573
AberrantSherds the tentativeequation of the three horizons. The
imionochrome wares (red, white,and black), incisedor
Ten sherdsof whatmay be Aguilar Red were found
in the Ponce levels. Three of these sherdsfromlevel engraveddecorations,effigy faceson vessel necks,smiall
sphericaleffigyjars, the correspondencesbetweenthe
16 are mosthesitatingly classifiedas AguilarRed. All
threeare rimsherdsof recurvedrimbowls. The paint majorityof vessel forms,as well as the negativetrait
of absenceof feeton vessels,suggesta relationshipbe-
on the vessels has an orangishred color and the paint
is thicklyapplied and polished. The paste is some- tween Mamom, Lower Tres Zapotes, and Ponce. Of
what granular. These are probablytrade sherds but these various similaritiesbetween the three cultural
I have yet to discerntheirprovenance. The nearest phases, the vessel form resemblancesare the most
thingI have seen to them are some of the recurved striking. In the Ponce Period at Panuco, Lower Tres
rim,flatbottomedred bowlsfromUaxactun. However, Zapotesof southernVera Cruz,and the MamomPeriod
the similarityis not great. of Uaxactun, the preponderant majorityof rim sherds
One of the other sherdshas a gray,granular,hard belongsto the followingvessel forms:straightoutslop-
paste. On the lip and on the side there seems to be ing-sidedbowls with a flat base; flaring-sided bowls
eitherbrownish-black paintedbands or the remnantsof with a flatbase; straightoutsloping-sided bowls with
a totallybrownishblack painted surface. The sherd a convex base (silhouettebowls); small mouthedollas
is quite unlikeany otherfoundin the excavation (see with outflaringrim,pointedlip, globularbody, and a
fig.13, no. 7). I knowof no similarsherdsfromother flat base; incurved-rimbowls; hemisphericalbowls;
areas. outslopingflat-bottomed dishes,and,possibly,unbridged
spouted vessels. Furthermorethe red painted daub
Conclusions ware of Mamom is verysimilarto some of the Heavy
Plain, red variety,sherds fromthe Ponce Period of
The Ponce Period, having all of the potterytypes Panuco.
common to the Pavon Period, is obviously derived The kinship indicated by these featuresor traits
fromit. However,thenumberof new variationswithin seems to connectthe cultureof the lowlandMaya area
the older types,new sub-types,the radical decrease of to thatof the southernand northernVera Cruz coast.
Progreso Metallic and the rapid increaseof Progreso (As will be indicatedlater,Ponce and Mamomfigurines
White,as well as theadditionof thepotterytypePonce are very similar.) Furthermore,these featurescon-
Black, justifythe establishment of a new period. In trastradicallywiththeceramicsof the earlyculturesof
fact,the changesare so numerousin boththe technique the Valley of Mexico, anotherculturaltraditionthat,
and varietiesof design foundin Progreso White, and by its influence,contacts,and the actual movementsof
in the vessel formsin all the types,thatI believethere
its peoples, may have been responsiblefor the Maya-
is some time gap betweenthe two periods. Certainly
Huiastecseparationat somelaterdate.
the stylistically impoverishedPavon Period had been
profoundly stimulatedartistically.
AGUILAR PERIOD
The great resemblanceof Ponce Black to the black
ware of Lower Tres Zapotes and Mamom of Uaxactun Aguilar Period materialscome fromlevels6 through
impliesa temporaland culturalrelationship thatjustifies 13. In termsof strata,theycome fromdepositsfrom
the upperportionof sub-zone4 to the lowerportionof
FIG. 13. National Museum of Canada Neg. No. M 212. sub-zone 1. The earliestmaterialsof this period ap-
1. Heavy Plain, red variety,rim sherd. pear to have been dumped on a slope until it was
2. Heavy Plain, red variety,rim sherd. graduallybuilt up to a level surface. It appears that
3. Heavy Plain, red variety,typical rim sherd. the area was then occupied (formingfloor2), aban-
4. Heavy Buff rim sherd. doned fora shortwhile,theninhabitedagain (floor 1),
5. Heavy Plain, plain variety,plate. then once again abandoned and then reoccupied (see
6. Heavy Buff plate.
7. Aberrant rim sherd with a painted black line on interior
fig. 11). The last occupationof Aguilaris represented
gray surface. bythelowerportionof sub-zone1. Generallyspeaking,
8. Heavy Plain, red variety,rim sherd of a bowl. the Aguilar Period, as revealedin our excavation,saw
9. Ponce Black rim sherd show exterior engraved line below a seriesof occupationsand its materialcultureis abun-
the lip.
dantlyrepresented(8,053 sherds).
10. Progreso White rim sherd of small effigyjar showing a
modelled human ear. AguilarRed and AguilarGrayappear to characterize
11. Aberrant sherds of a jar bearing incised decoration on the the period,as well as certainnew decorationson Pro-
exterior. greso White (composingthe sub-typeProgresoWhite,
12. Rim sherd of an incurved rim bowl with a short everted lip Incised Curvilinear),the appearance of Chila White,
of Ponce Black, Ponce Period.
13. Engraved sherd of Ponce Black from Ponce Period.
the use oftripodfeeton bowls,changesin vessel shapes,
14. Aberrant sherd of Ponce Black showing the interiorincised and shiftsin popularityof older vessel shapes and
bottom of a flat-bottomedbowl from Ponce Period. decorations.

ProgresoMetallic lines (see fig. 16, no. 13, 15, 16). Sometimesthese
undulatingbands appear withlinearpunchesor cross-
The typehas the same featuresas describedin the
hatching. Also presentin the last part of the period
previousperiod. It is in the uppermostlevels of this
is the sub-typeLinear Punch, whichhas designscom-
period that the type finally completelydisappears.
posed ofparallellinesoflinearpunches(fig. 16,no. 11).
Throughoutmost of the period it is a minorityware, These
few sherds evidentlyare the beginningof the
beingalwaysless than7 per cent.
design so commonin the Chila Period on both Chila
White and Aguilar Red, sub-typeLinear Punch. De-
Progreso White signs of parallel lines only are not commonin this
In the earlyand middlepart of thisperiodthe paste period nor are the ones with only cross-hatching very
and surfacefinishare about the same as describedfor numerous.
the previous periods. However, in the later stages Vessel formschangeand thereare shiftsin popularity
certainchanges appear. The temperranges fromthe of the oldertypesas well as a disappearanceof some of
finewhiteparticlesand finewhitesand to ratherlarge the older vessel forms. Flaring-sidedbowls and out-
granularpieces of grit. Also, the surfacefinishranges slopingstraight-sided bowlswithflatbottomsor slightly
froma thin chalkywhite wash to a definite"chalky, convex bottoms are no longer common,while out-
nearlywhiteslip." 23 In termsof Ekholm's definition sloping straight-sidedbowls and flaring-sidedbowls
of Chila White,the sherdswith large grit temperand with definiteconvex bottoms (composite silhouette
a chalkywhiteslip shouldbe called Chila White,while bowls) are very numerous. There is also a tendency
the sherds with finetemperand a chalk wash fitthe for the rims of the bowls to be more widelyeverted.
definitionof Progreso White. Such sherds were Incurved-rim bowls,concave-sidedbowls,hemispherical
classifiedwithrelativeease intothesetwo types. How- bowls,and plates occur. Recurvedrim bowls are not
ever, sherdswith granulartemperand a chalkywash as commonas theywere in the previousperiod. Small
or sherdswithfinetemperand whiteslip were difficult ollas with simple vertical necks appear for the first
to categorize. One foundoneselfclassifying suchsherds timein thisperiod.
into one type at one time and into anotherat a later The most significantchange in this period is the
time. Therefore,it was decided that granular,large appearanceof shortand long solid conical tripodfeet
temperedsherdswould be called Chila White and fine on the bottomsof the composite silhouettevessels.
temperedsherds ProgresoWhite regardlessof surface There is a slighttendencyin the earlierlevels for the
finish. Such a classificationwas most arbitrarybut short conical feet to be more commonthan the long
seemedthe onlyway to handle potterythatwas inter- conicalones.
mediateand representedthe developmentof one type Thus we see the growthof ProgresoWhite and the
(Progreso White) into another(Chila White). gradualemergencefromit of Chila White. Outside of
As regardsdesigns,thereare somenoticeablechanges the Huasteca few similaritiesto the Aguilar Period
withinthe type. The sub-typeCylindricalPunctate, variantsof Progreso White are to be found. Super-
withdesignsof overlappingcylindricalpunches,disap- ficially,one white bowl from El Arbolillo I, with
pears duringthe early part of this period. The sub- trianglesfilledwithparallellineson theinteriorbottom,
type Hub and Spoke is very definitelyon the wane. looks vaguely similar,as do other incised sherds of
Both varietiesof checkerboarddesigns are absent in the thin slipped variety of White Ware from that
this period,while the design of hub and spokes filled site.24 A fewof thesesherdsfromMiddle El Arbolillo
with cross-hatching is in the extrememinority. The have curvilinearlines suggestingthe design common
design of hub and spokes filled with parallel lines, on the sub-typeIncised Curvilinearof ProgresoWhite.
thoughratherimportant in the earlypartof the period, However, none of the sherds in the collectionof the
is on the wane and by the end of the period is dying AmericanMuseumofNaturalHistoryfromEl Arbolillo
out. The sub-typeOpposed Areas is the dominant I examinedwere large enoughforme to be reallysure
design class. The varietyof this sub-typehavingop- thatthe designwas the same.
posed areas filledwithparallellinesis themostcommon
type of design,decreasingslightlytoward the end of Ponce Black
the period,whilethe varietieswithcross-hatched areas This typecontinuesintothe Aguilar Period withits
separated by a numberof parallel lines or areas of paste and surfacefinishunchanged. There is a tend-
parallel lines in oppositionto areas withcross-hatched encyfordecorationto be totallyabsent. In vesselform
linesare bothverycommonand slightlyon the increase there are some changes withinthe type. The hemi-
overwhattheywerein thepreviousperiod. Diagnostic spherical and incurved-rimbowls are less common
of the last part of this period is the sub-typeIncised thoughstillpresentin fairamounts,while flaring-sided
Curvilinear. The commonestdesignof this sub-typeis bowlswithconvexbottoms,rarepreviously, now appear
that having undulatingbands of three to six parallel in large numbers. Small jars with the outflaringrim
23 Ekholm,1944. 24 G. C. Vaillant,1935: fig.21, no. 1.

at a sharp angle to the body appear. Bowls withcon- the Tancol complex and those occurringin the El
cave sides and a slight basal ridge appear and may Prisco Period.26
foreshadowthevessel formcommonto El Prisco Black This potterytypemayhave been introducedfroman
of the El Prisco Period. In factthistypemay well be outsidesourceinto Panuco in Aguilartimes,or may be
the ancestorof El Prisco Black. The changesin vessel a re-combination of stylisticconceptsof the previous
formof Ponce Black at Panuco fromPonce through periods. Certainlythe vessel forms,decorationand
Aguilar times somewhatparallels the change that oc- paste might well be derived from Progreso White
curs at Tres Zapotes fromthe Lower phase through concepts,whilethe red paintidea may have come from
the Middle phase.25 Heavy Plain. The vessel feetare obviouslysomething
new. Aguilar Red is mainlyconfinedto the Aguilar
AguilarRed Period and diagnosticof it,thougha veryfewsherdsof
the type did appear in the Ponce Period and few ap-
The temperis composedof minutewhiteparticlesof
pear in theearlypartof the Chila Period.
caliche and quartz. The consistencyis fair, the in-
teriors being somewhatporous and sometimeslami-
Aguilar Gray
nated. Firing seems well done and the sherds are
salmon pink to orange from surfaceto surfacewith The temperis grit and small particlesof caliche in
onlya slighttendencyforinteriorsto be a littledarker. abundantamounts. The paste is porousand laminated.
Hardness is about 3.5. Sherds vary in thicknessbe- The cross sectionsshow the sherds to be gray from
tween 1/4 and 3/4inch. Except for the color of the surfaceto surface. Hardness is about2.5.
paste it is verysimilarto thatof ProgresoWhite. Surfaceshave a thin wash of mousygray paint on
The sherds are painted red (by a red wash) and themand theyare poorlysmoothed.
polished,exceptforsome interiorbottoms. There is a Decorationis confinedto theinteriorbottoms,usually
general tendencyfor the interiorrims or sides to be beingincisedcross-hatching.Less commonare parallel
betterpaintedand more highlypolishedthan the rest lines formedby incision and/or by combingwith a
of thevessel. four-pronged tool.
Decorationis usuallyby incising,thoughthreesherds The commonestvessel formsare bowls witha widely
have been decoratedby combingwith a three-toothed everted rim (sometimesalmost horizontal) and out-
object. The commonestdesigns have cross-hatched flaringout-curvedsides blendinginto a convex bottom
areas, trianglesor squares, separatedfromeach other (recurved rim bowls). Less common are straight-
by areas of parallelcurvedlines. Usually thesecurved sided bowls,outflaring-rim bowls,hemispherical bowls,
lines are next to the areas of cross-hatching, but some- and incurved-rimbowls. Six vessel feet were un-
timesthereare large undecoratedareas betweenthem. covered,fourof thembeing short,conical and hollow
Slightlyless commonare undulatingbands of parallel whilethe othertwo were short,conicaland solid.
lines near areas of straightparallel lines (or, rarely, Two othersherdshave noticeablydifferent shapes in
cross-hatched lines). Still less commonare areas filled thattheyhave widelythickenedand flattened lips. One
withparallel lines, the parallel lines of one area being of these is a hemisphericalbowl with a wedge-shaped
at rightangles or acute angles to those in the adjacent rim,whilethe otherfroman outflaring-rim bowl which
areas. Least commonare parallel lines or only cross- has a lip so thickenedthat it overshadowsthe rim on
hatchedlines. both surfaces. These vessels are very reminiscentof
Recurved rim bowls with convex bottoms(with or the commonestformfoundin the Tancol complex of
without tripod feet) are the most common shape. the El Prisco Period.27
Slightlyless commonand witha less distinctiveshape The typeis relatedto ProgresoWhite and probably
forthe typeare convexbottomedbowls withshortout- develops from it. It may be vaguely ancestral to
flaringrims or outslopingstraightsided rims. In- Panuco Gray. It is onlyin the Aguilar Period and the
curved rim bowls as well as vertical incurved-sided earlypartoftheChila Period.
bowls also appear.
On the bottomsof some vessels are tripod legs. Heavy Plain
Slightlyearlierthan otherkinds of legs are the short This typeis about the same as it was in the previous
solid conical ones. The other kinds are long solid period with a slightincrease in the numberof ollas
conicalsas well as threeshortconical ones whichhave having outflaringrims which contractinto an almost
two invertedpyramidalsectionscut away fromopposite pointed lip. Two loop handles were found. The
sides forminga sort of loop foot. This lattertypeof earlierone of these may be a figurinearm. A double
footmay well be the prototypeof those so commonin loop handle,also, was uncoveredin the latestAguilar
Period level.
25P. Drucker, 1943a. Compare the vessel forms of Black
wrareof the Middle phase (table 2) with those of Lower phase 26 G. Ekholm,1944.
(table 4) in the appendix. 27 G. Ekholm,1944.

1\ t2-~~~~~~~
__~~
9~~~~
13
FIG. 14 ( 1/2natural size) .

VOL. 44, PT. 52 1954] REPORT ON VC-2 577
Heavy Buff identicalto Progreso White. Two sherds have Pro-
greso White paste, a whiteslip, and black lines about
It is about thesame as in thepreviousperiod,though
one-quarterof an inchwide and one inchapart stream-
it is decreasingrapidlyby the end of the period. One ing down the outersides fromthe lip (fig. 15, no. 11).
jar with a thickenedlip has fabricimpressionson the
One sherdwithfinecalichetemperin smallamounts,
lip (fig. 15, no. 2).
a laminatedpaste,hardnessof about4.5, an orangeslip,
polished surface,and paintedwhiteon red decoration
AberrantSherds was found (fig. 15, no. 4). The decorationconsists
Eight sherds characterizedby thickenedlips are of a whitepaintedstriprunningaround the innerside
consideredaberrant. Three of these sherds have fine of an incurvedrimbowl witha squared lip. The white
temper,a laminatedporous consistency, a well-polished stripeis over the reddishorange paint on the rest of
slip, yellowish-brownin color,withtwo thickengraved the bowl. Superficially, the sherd resembleswhite-on-
parallellines thatrun aroundthe lip (fig. 15, no. 8, 9). red ware fromthe Early Period of Zacatenco I. One
While examilningearly sherds from the Valley of sherdhas singlered lineon whatlooksto be a Progreso
Mexico in the collectionsof the AmericanMuseum of White surfaceand paste (fig. 15, no. 1).
Natural History in New York City, I founda sherd A sherd froma vertical-sidedjar with a rectilinear
withalmosttheidenticalpaste,surfacefinish,shape,and designof wide engravedlines cut througha mahogany-
decorationfromSanta Maria Zacatepec in the state of brownpolishedouter side is obviouslyaberrant. The
Puebla, Mexico. This site is veryclose to Cholula and temperis very fine quartz and the paste is porous.
is located on one of George Vaillant's maps in the Hardness is about 3.75. A brown slip covers the
Gualupitareport.28Frustratingly enough,I was unable outer side and continueson to the upper part of the
to determinethe temporalhorizonsof the Santa Maria inner rim, but most of the interior is carelessly
Zacatepec site, so the only three trade sherds I was smoothed,unslipped,and gray in color (see fig. 15,
able to identifydefinitely
are of littlevalue at present. no. 12). Both Dr. Ekholm and myselffeltthat this
Superficially,they resembleTancol sherds and some sherdcame fromthe Valley of Mexico but were unable
of the white ware from Zacatenco I.29 One of the to identifyit or findany sherd identicalto this one.
sherds has a horizontalexternal projection (fig. 15, It is superficiallylike some black sherds fromLower
no. 9). I or II of Cerro de las Mesas, centralVera Cruz.30
As regardsthe remainingthickenedlip sherds,two Forty-eightsmall sherds, representingabout one-
sherdshave a coarserpaste and an orangeslip. There eighthof a flaring-sided jar with almost flat bottom,
is one thickenedrim sherd,undecorated,with a paste were different fromany sherdsI had previouslyfound.
The temperis small to mediumsized gritand caliche,
Vaillant, 1934: 13, fig. 1.
28
while the paste is porous and fired orangish. The
29 Vaillant, 1930: 82, pl. II, f. surfacebothinteriorly and exteriorlybears a slip. The
interior slip is black and well polished, while the
FIG. 14. exterior is not well polished and its predominantly
1. Aguilar Red rim sherd with curvilinear design on interior black slip has large irregularsections of white (fire
bottom. clouds?). On the lower exteriorof the outer side are
2. Aguilar Red recurved rim sherd with interiorcrosshatching threeparallel (about 1/2 inch apart), wide (about 1/8
(other sherds show this area of crosshatchingseparated from inch), engraved lines filled with red paint (fig. 15,
the next by bands of parallel lines).
3. Conical pierced vessel foot of Aguilar Red.
no. 10). The sherds resemble the descriptionand
4. Exterior of a rim sherd of Ponce Black. drawingof a pot illustratedby Drucker31 as coming
5. Aguilar Gray interior bottom sherds decorated by combed fromTres Zapotes. I was unableto determineexactly
lines. in whichperiod at Tres Zapotes this variantof black
6. Small solid conical foot of Progreso White. ware occursthoughI suspectit comesfromthe Middle
7. Ponce Black sherd with basal flange. phase.
8. Progreso White, sub-type Opposed Areas showing area of
crosshatchingseparated from the next area by a series of The finalaberrantsherdis a piece of an olla bottom.
parallel lines. The bottomis concaveand betweenthebottomand side
9. Aguilar Gray rim sherd with parallel lines on interiorbottom. is a small ridge. On the side of the vessel are wide
10. Progreso White sherd with opposed areas of parallel lines verticalgrooves. The temperis grit of mediumsize
and crosshatchingwith a small conical foot so worn that it and the paste very porous. A thinbrown slip covers
is sub-conoidal.
11. Progreso White, sub-typeOpposed Areas with opposed areas bothsurfacesand evidentlya maroonpaintoncecovered
filledwith parallel lines at right angles to each other. the slip (see fig. 16, no. 8). I know of no analogous
12. Progreso White, sub-typeOpposed Areas with crosshatched vessels.
areas separated by a band of parallel lines.
13. Progreso White, sub-type Linear Punch, show a long solid 30Drucker, 1943b: 39.
conical foot. 31 Drucker, 1943a: 63-64, fig. 35.

578 MACNEISH: ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE IN VERA CRUZ [TRANS. AMER. PHIL. SOC.
1 ~~~~~~2 3
~~~~~ 6
10
12
FIG. 15 (1/2 natural size).

Conclusions ProgresoWhite, Opposed Area), continues. The rise
of linear punch decoration,sub-typeProgreso White,
The AguilarPeriod developedfromthe earlierPonce
Linear Punch, representsone of the final changes
Period as evidenced by the considerableoverlap in
within the type. This change parallels the rise of
ceramics. However, there is a series of innovations
Chila White,havingthe same decoration.
that make it a distinctivecomplex. The introduction
The major shiftsin vessel formsalso show a great
of AguilarRed; ProgresoWhite,sub-typesCurvilinear
resemblanceto forms of Chila White. Like Chila
Incised and Linear Punch; Chila White; AguilarGray;
White,one of themajor vessel formsis a vertical-sided
and the disappearanceof Progreso Metallic and the
bowl witha thickenedor slightlyflaredlip. Also like
CylindricalPunctatesub-typeof ProgresoWhite repre-
Chila White, the dominantvessel form is a flaring-
sent significant
new features,as do the introductionof
lipped straight-sidedconvex-bottomedbowl. These
tripodfeet,thickenedrim bowls,and the dominanceof
compositesilhouettebowls are the most frequentform
convex bottomed,outflaring, widelyeverted-rim bowls
throughoutthe period, though in the early part of
(composite silhouettebowl). While there were pos-
the period a few sherds of hemisphericalbowls, con-
sible connectionsdown the coast and towardthe Olmec
cave-sidedbowls,and recurved-rim bowls are present.
and the Maya area, as in the previousperiod,it would
Vessel feetare common,and besidesconicalsolid short
appear thatsome of the innovationsin this periodmay
and long feet,feet resemblinganimal feet occur (fig.
have moved into the Huasteca from the Valley of
16, no. 18).
Mexico. Besides actual trade sherds,vessel feet,han-
Generallyspeaking,the typeis dyingout and being
dles, decoratedthickenedrims,and bichromepainting
replacedby or developinginto Chila White.
may be theValley of Mexico additions.
CHILA PERIOD
Chila White
Materials of this period occur in the upper two feet Though this type has been previouslydescribedby
of Zone B (sub-zone 1). Relativelyspeaking,there Ekholm, I shall redescribeand in part redefinethe
were not many sherds (1,770). Sherds were some- typein the lightof my excavations.32
what weatheredand/or leached and identification The temperis abundantquartz (sand) of medium
of
typeswas difficult.Levels 2, 3, 4, and 5 comefromthis size (1 mm. cube) ; the consistencyof the paste is
sub-zone. The deposit in which the materials are coarse and laminated. Firing shows interiorsto be
foundappearsto have been builtby occupationaldebris. gray or black whichfade to a lightercolor, brownor
Four postholeswere foundextendingdown fromabout pink,at the surface. Hardness is about3.5.
level 3 intolevel 5. The surfacesare smoothand covered by a chalky,
nearlywhite,slip or whitewash.
Progreso White Decoration is for the most part by linear punching
though12 sherdswithcross-hatchedincisionsand one
The paste and surfacefinishare the same as previ- withtwo parallel incisedlines do occur. Four sherds
ously described. have linear punches with incised lines. The most
Decoration is more uniformin this period. Cross- distinctiveshape is a vertical (slightlyconcave) sided
hatchingover the whole interiorof the bottom,as well bowl witha thickenedlip. The commonestformis an
as opposed areas filled with parallel lines (sub-type outslopingstraight-sided convex-bottomed bowl, while
sherdsof hemisphericalbowls occur as do bowls with
FIG. 15. a basal flange,incurvedrim bowls and hemispherical
1. A sherdwitha red line on the interiorbelow the lip on a plates. Vessel feet are most commonlylong and
whitebackground. pointed,thoughone resemblingan animalfootand one
2. Heavy Buffsherdwithfabricimpressions. shortconicalfootwerefound.
3. Sphericaleffigy jar of ProgresoWhitewitha modelledear The type, with minor variations,is the same as
and incisionsrepresenting hair.
4. Whiteon red sherds. Ekholmdescribesand is confinedalmostentirelyto the
5. Black line aroundexteriorrimof AguilarGray. upperlevelsof the site VC-2. In the top level of Zone
6. This fine-pasted white-slipped sherd with zoned punctate B it is presentin almostthe same proportionsas were
decoration. foundin Ekholm'sdig at the Pavon site.
7. Thickenedlip sherdwithorangeslip,fromVC-1.
8. Thickenedlip yellowish-brown slippedrim sherdwith in-
cisionson thelip. AguilarRed
9. Thickenedlip yellowishbrownslippedrim sherdwith in-
cisionson the lip and havinga slightexternalhorizontal The type is about the same as previouslydescribed
protusion on the lip. except for four sherds in level 3 which have linear
10. Side of black-slipped bowlwithengravedlinesfilled. puncheson theirinteriorbottoms. These four sherds
11. Black linesstreaming downthe side of a thickened
lip vari- composethe sub-typeLinear Punch of Aguilar Red.
ant of ProgresoWhite(?).
12. Mahoganybrownslippedsherdwithwide engravedlines. 32 G. Ekholm,1944: 341.

Aguilar Gray the Pavon site. The Chila White sherds and Heavy
Plain are identicalin many cases. There also is a
The same as previouslydescribed and a definite
tendencyfor the sherds in the top level of Zone B,
minority
type.
sub-zone 1, to be more similar than those deeper in
Heavy Buff Zone B, sub-zone 1. Nevertheless,there still are
differencesfrom those of Ekholm. Some of these
This dies out earlyin the period and, fromthe few
differencesconsist of the occurrence of Progreso
specimensfound,appears to have remainedunchanged. White, Aguilar Red, Aguilar Gray, incised decora-
Finer Plainware tion on the bottomof vessels, and a larger variety
of vessel forms. Some of these differencesare
Only a few sherdsof thistypewere found. Temper more apparent than real, for undoubtedlysome of
is veryfinesand and verysparse. The consistencyof the finer tempered sherds that Ekholm classified
the paste is excellentand compact. In cross-section as Chila White are probablyProgreso White, while
the sherdsare darkin theinteriorbut orangeor brown the two "dull blackwaresherds" are probablyPonce
at the surface. Superficially,the change gives the Black and some of the "miscellaneous red ware"
appearanceof a slip. Hardness is about 3.5. sherdsare undoubtedlyAguilar Red sherds. Further-
Surfaces are smoothed,unpainted,and unslipped. more,the largernumberof sherdsfrommy levels and
Decorationis absent. the relativelyfewsherdsnot of Heavy Plain ware from
Only three rim sherdswere found; two were from thePavon sitecould accountforsomeofthedifferences.
hemisphericalbowls, while the other was from an Anotherpossible explanationfor the differencesand,
outflaringbowl with a ridge between the side and I believe,the moreimportantone, is thatmy materials
convex bottom. One bottomsherdhas the remainsof of the Chila Period are for the most part earlierthan
a hollowconicalfoot,and one whole footwas found. those at the Pavon site. The statisticaltrends and
As Ekholmn has indicated,the type is really not a frequenciesof sherdsin bothEkholm'sand my excava-
definabletypeand runsfromChila to Panuco timesin tions would certainlyindicate this to be true. Cer-
in theirpaste composi-
small amounts.`3 Superficially, tainly there is no justificationfor thinkingthat my
tion some of the sherds bear resemblanceto the un- materials belong to a period separate from that of
temperedorangishware of Cerro de Las Mesas and to Period I of Ekholm. I believe it is perhaps best to
the"undecoratedpolychrome" sherdsof Tres Zapotes.4 expand the definitionand complex of Ekholm's Chila
Period (Period I) to includemyverysimilarmaterials.
Heavy Plain The materials from VC-1 give furtherjustification
The paste is thesame as previouslydescribed. There for doing this.
is, however,a minordifference in surfacefinish. Many Level 1
of the surfacesare more crudelyfinishedthan in the Most of the sherds from level 1 come from the
previous period and some are scoured. This feature redeposited,lowestsub-zoneof Zone A. It is obvious
is characteristicofthelaterplainwaresherdsat Panuco, that the sherds in the zone come froma numberof
thoughit was absentbeforethe Chila Period. This is different periodsand do not representa ceramiccom-
a change withinthe type. Well smoothedsherds and plex ever used by one group at the same time. I men-
some with a red wash still occur, but are rarer than tiontheceramiccontentof thelevelforjust one reason,
previously. namely,that thereare includedin this zone sherds of
Anotherchange withinthe type is the presenceof fourlaterperiodsthatconfirmby stratigraphy the fact
applique ridge decorationand handles. One double that the Chila, Aguilar, Ponce, and Pavon Periods
loop, two loop and one strap handles occur. Shapes precede Ekholm's Periods II throughVI. Found in
are about the same as before,with a tendencyfor the this level were: 1 glazed sherd of Spanish origin; 1
necks to be straighterand more at an angle to the sherd of Huasteca Black on White (Period VI or
shoulderthanpreviously. Panuco Period) ; 1 sherdof Las Flores Relief,3 sherds
One noticeabledifference is the markedincreaseof of Las Flores Red on Buff,10 sherds of Zaquil Red
thistypein thisperiod,thoughmypercentagesof plain (all of Period V or theLas Flores Period) ; 3 sherdsof
ware are still considerablyless than those found in El Prisco Black and 1 sherdof El Prisco Black, fresco
the deepestlevel of Ekholm's excavationat the Pavon decorated(Period II or the El Prisco Period) ; as well
site in Panuco. as 11 Heavy Plain sherds,10 Chila White,5 Progreso
Conclusions White,and 208 sherdstoo badlywornto be identified.35
Sherdsfromtheupperlevelsof VC-2 are exceedingly THE CERAMIC CHANGES AT VC-2
similarto those Ekholm foundin the bottomlevels of In the previouspages I have endeavoredto pointout
ceramicchangesin termsofpotterytypes,sub-typesand
33G. Ekholm,1944.
34Drucker, 1943a: 37. 35 For descriptionof most of these sherds see Ekholm, 1944.

changeswithintypes. Certaintypesand certainchar- CHART 3
acteristicswithinthe typeswere consideredto compose THE CLASSES OF SURFACE FINISH AT THE LEVELS OF VC-2
ceramic complexes diagnosticof the periods. These
featuresof the potterytypesand complexesof pottery Levels Red White Plain Black Gray White Plain Totals
Film Wash Polish Wash Slip Slip
types were considered to be tools for establishing
chronology.As good a tool as the potterytypeconcept 1
for visualizing change and chronologyis the actual
change of the ceramicfeaturesthemselves. The indi- 2 .04 .12 .55 .07 .20 .03
11 25 118 15 43 6 218
vidual ceramic changes and the potterytypes are, of
course, interconnected by the definitionof a type and 3 .07 .12 .52 .01 .09 .16 .03
by the methodof analysisforestablishingtypes. How- 27 47 203 2 34 64 12 389
ever, since in typologythereis the arbitraryclassifica-
4 .11 .14 .40 .04 .04 .21 .04
tion into types of various significantsegmentsof a 37 45 132 14 15 71 15 329
continuumof culturechanges and of a wide range of
culture featuresinto categorieswhich overlap in in- 5 .14 .33 .22 .07 .10 .15 .00
numerableways,a studyof the changesin the features 66 149 98 32 43 68 2 458
themselvesperhaps illustratesthe ceramic complex 6 .16 .39 .21 .03 .06 .13
characteristicof any period just as clearly as does a 81 206 113 18 32 72 522
study of the more encompassingpotterytypes. Per-
haps they more clearly point out the development, 7 .25 .42 .18 .06 .06 .04
238 456 213 61 67 39 1,074
introductionor invention,and shiftsin popularityof
the variousceramicconceptsinherentin the types. 8 .26 .39 .12 .09 .05
The changes in paste and surface finishare most 301 496 280 112 68 1,257
clearlyreflectedin the typology. Generallyspeaking,
the sherds with fine temperand excellentpaste are 9 .22 .41 .24 .08 .07
416 831 515 160 147 2,069
dominantin the Pavon Period, though sherds with
finetemperand a coarse paste, as well as sherdswith 10 .21 .50 .15 .09 .02
coarse temperand poor paste and sherds with coarse 298 769 252 138 75 1,532
temper,poor paste, and very poor firing,appear. In
11 .17 .57 .13 .09 .06
the Ponce Period,the finetempersherdswithexcellent 106 382 96 51 32 667
paste are on the decrease, while the two coarser
varietiesstaythe same and sherdswithfinetemperand 12 .13 .61 .12 .10 .04
porous paste, firedin a reducingatmosphere,appear. 41 200 42 34 13 330
Generally,the paste group stays the same in the 13 .12 .62 .12 .10 .03
Aguilar Period, while the Chila Period ushers in a 53 309 68 49 15 494
seriesof radicalchanges. In the Chila Period,the fine
tempersherdswithexcellentpaste and the verycoarse, 14 .23 .55 .14 .08
72 173 47 25 317
poorly-fired sherds disappear. Well-firedsherds with
a coarse paste increase,while the fine tempersherds 15 .16 .64 .09 .11
with good paste decrease along with sherds with 46 196 33 34 309
large temperand good paste. Sherds with almostno
temperand good paste appear. 16 .09 .73 .10 .08
28 229 31 26 317
Changesin surfacefinishare somewhatdifferent, and
we see the progressiveadditions of a series of new 17 .07 .73 .08 .11
kinds of surface finishto those found in the Pavon 15 162 20 25 222
Period, which were a red wash, a white wash, and
18 .12 .65 .13 .10
plain surface. In the Ponce Period, polished black 32 220 55 37 344
surfacesappear forthe firsttime,while in the Aguilar
Period a gray wash is used. In the Chila Period, 19 .16 .61 .18 .05
white slips and plain slips are added to the other 79 345 115 31 570
varieties(see chart3). 20 .18 .63 .15 .04
However, it is in decoration(design and decorative 97 386 108 22 613
technique)thatthe greatestchangestake place. These
are somewhatreflectedin the sub-typesof Progreso 21 .18 .60 .21
14 51 18 83
White. The various kinds of decorationare perhaps
as diagnosticof the periodsas the ceramictypesthem- 22 .06 .81 .14
selves,and the radicalchangesin motifsand techniques 36 493 78 607
of decorationcertainlyseem to justifythe divisionof

F 4 1~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1
11F67
5
10
8 9
13 14
12
1 16 17 18
15 17/1

CHART 4
THE VARIOUS KINDS OF DECORATION OR DESIGNS AT THE LEVELS OF VC-2
l- -n -n
Levels in2terms 2 1 28 39 2 0 3
ofsub-Periods 6-4 9 27 4c 81
lel 6 CZ
71
5 14 7 49 4 3 5 1
~CZ c50 CZ CZ
Early Chila .01 .01 .21 .28 .01 .02 .03 .42
levels 10-13 7~~ 4 20- 88 2 84 20 2 5 13
levels2-5 2 1 28 39 2 3 4 56 135
Late Aguilar .01 .02 .03 .08 .01 .25 .15 .11 .17 .06 .06 .02 .04
levels 6-9 4 6 9 27 4 87 50 36 5721 20 612 339
Early Aguilar .03 .01 .08 .37 .01 .35 .09 .01 .02 .02 .00
levelsl1-13 7 4 20 88 2 84 20 2 5 5 1 238
Late Ponce .01 .09 .01 .01 .26 .49 .05 .07 .08 .02 .01
levelsl14-17 1 10 1 1 30 56 6 8 9 2 1 125
Early Ponce .03 .04 .11 .08 .04 .28 .27 .01 .03 .09 .01
levelsl18-20 6 7 19 14 7 49 47 3 5 15 2 174
Late Pavon .25 .38 .12 .25

level 21 2 3 1 2 8
Early Pavon .50 .50

level 22 10 10 20
the materialsinto fourperiods. The Pavon Period is punches; and a variantof the latterpatternin which
characterizedby the use of overlappingcylindrical the areas filledwithlinesof overlappinglinearpunches
punches,forminglines in a few simplepatterns,to wit: are separatedfromeach other by three elements-an
a spiral; a design that is either a checkerboardor undecoratedstrip,one or more straightlines of over-
opposed triangleswith one part undecoratedand the lappingcircularpunchesand thenanotherundecorated
other filledwith parallel lines of overlappingcircular strip. It is also importantto note that undecorated
bottomsof bowls are more numerousthan decorated
FIG. 16. National Museumof Canada Neg. No. M 214. ones in thisperiod.
The Ponce Period sees the fundamentalshiftto the
1. Heavy Buffsherd,AguilarPeriod.
2. Heavy Plain, red variety. incising technique of decoration. Checkerboardde-
3. Heavy Plain,plainvariety. signs withblank squares alternatingwithsquares filled
4. Heavy Plain bowlwitha thickened incisedlip,fromAguilar withparallellines,and checkerboard designswithalter-
Period. nate squares filledwithcross-hatching are two designs
5. AguilarRed sherddecoratedby combing.
6. Loop handle. that in motif may have been derived from those of the
7. Doubleloophandle. Pavon Period, but the use of incised lines instead of
8. Aberrantbasal sherdswithgrooveswitha maroonslip. lines of overlappingpunchesmakes themeasily recog-
9. AguilarRed sherdswithcrosshatched area separatedby an nizable as distinctivedecorations. However, the most
undecoratedarea fromundulating bands. numerousand most distinctivedesigns of the period
10. Chila Whitesherdswithcrosshatching on interiorbottom.
11. ProgresoWhite,sub-type LinearPunch. are the wheeldesigns,withthe hub and the shortwide
12. Chila Whitesherddecoratedwithlinearpunches. spokes filledwith cross-hatching or parallel lines and
13. ProgresoWhite,sub-type IncisedCurvilinear. with the area betweenthe wheel spokes undecorated.
14. ProgresoWhite,sub-type OpposedAreas withcombedlines. The Aguilar Period is characterizedby distinctive
15. ProgresoWhite,sub-typeIncisedCurvilinear.
16. ProgresoWhite,sub-typeIncisedCurvilinear. designs as well as the use of the decorativetechnique
17. ProgresoWhite,sub-typeIncisedCurvilinear. of combing. The designs of opposed areas of cross-
18. Chila White,effigyfoot. hatchingand parallel lines, or of parallel lines of one

However, designswith wavy bands composedof four

to six parallellinesappear to be an innovation.
The Chila Period, while seeing the continuanceof
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 some of the older motifs,has a distinctivefeature:the
use of the linear punch and the arrangementof these
linearpunchesin parallellines. The Chila Period sees
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 also the continueduse of cross-hatching, opposed areas
filledwithparallel lines,and areas withcross-hatching
in oppositionto parallel lines, all of which continue
intothe El Prisco Period. The sequenceof decoration
"IX)Ii't1\32 33
335
alone would justifythe establishment of four periods,
as it appears we have fourdistinctivedecorativecom-
27 28 29 30 31 36 37 38 plexes on the pottery.
The shiftsin potterytypesand decoration,moreover,
are paralleledby equallyradicalshiftsand developments
in vessel forms (see chart 5 and fig. 19). These
39 40 41 42 44 45 46 47 48 49 changes are only indirectlyapparent in the pottery
type descriptions. The Pavon Period is characterized
by three basic forms: flaring-rimmed, flat-bottomed
ollas with necks at right or center angles to the
shoulders; flaring-rimmed, small-mouthedollas with
50 51 54 55 56 necks sloping gradually into a rounded body; and
flaring-sided, flat-bottomed bowls. Two variants of
these basic shapes are flaring-necked ollas with thick-
ened lips, and outslopingstraight-sided bowls withflat
bottoms. Two sherdsof incurved-rim bowls appear in
the last stages of the period and may be instrusive
57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64
fromPonce levels.
The Ponce Period sees the additionof eleven new
FIG. 17. Rim profilesof the ceramics. Inside of vessel to right vessel formsto the three (or five) of the previous
of each profile. period. Hemisphericalbowls, overhanging-rim bowls
withcurvedsides,and flaring-sided bowls withconvex
opposed area at rightor acute angles to the parallel bottoms are perhaps the most outstandingof the
lines of the other,are the mostnumerous. These per- numerousinnovations. The Aguilar Period sees the
haps developedfroma re-combination of older designs introduction of four more vessel formsas well as the
that appeared in the Ponce Period in small amounts. eliminationof fourof the older shapes. The mostout-
C C
H H
L I.
A A
A A
G G
U U
L I.
A A
A A
P P
0 0
N N
C C
E P
A A
V V
0 0
FIG. 18.

H
c ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
H
I
I
A
IA
A A
G G
IU
U
I ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~II
A A
R 11R
0 0~11
N 1N
IE
C C
E
A
A
p ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A
V
0 0
N N
FIG. 19.
standingof the new vessel formsare those bearing incurved-sidedbowls withoutflaring thickenedlips and
tripodfeet. The Chila Period, poorly representedin tripodfeet. The occurrenceof loop handles,straphan-
my sample,sees the additionof fivemorevessel forms dles and effigytripodfeet representsother significant
(and, incidentally,Ekholm illustratestwo more from additionsin this period.
his Chila Period level, bringingthe total to seven). 36 In conclusion,thestudyof individualceramicchanges
The most outstandingof these new formsare vertical seems to justifythe classificationof the materialsof
36 Ekholm.1944: fig.4. D' and 0. VC-2 intofoursequentialperiods,each withdistinctive
CHART 5
RECONSTRUCTED VESSEL FORMS AT THE LEVELS OF VC-2
Reconstructed vessel forms based on rim profile, bottoms and appendages
su-Peris
levels 01.
4-~~ 3 9 7 07 1cu~.0 CU 3 1
cl.
1
LateAguiar.01 .1 .01 .0 .0 . 16 .0 .4 -01 .
Early Chila .02 .04 .04 ~.04 .1 .2 .05 .0 .0 0
ofvesub-Peid 4u 47 6. 46 48 1 1 4 89 5 3 3 6
Early Chuilar .01 .02 .04 .04 .0 4
.06 .10
.22 .22 .05 .00 .03 .02
Late Agunlr .01 .01 .01 .08 .09 .04 .17 1 .16 .09 .04 .01 .11
levels 20-1335 1 3 92 17 71 19 393 11 1 5 47
levels61-17 4 73 62 46 48 195 947 589 54 23 3 62
Early Aguila .01 .02 .04 .04 .05 .06 .22 .01 .32 .06 .02 .01 .05
levelsO18-2 3 50 13 12 17 216 65 4 93 21 6 2 17
Late Paon .010 .06 .15 .030 .106 .107 .050

.12.7 .8 0
level 21 2 3 4 *6 2 2 1
Early Pavon .61 .09 .12 .14 .05

level422 26 4 5 6 2

CHART 5-Continued
Reconstructedvesselformsbased on rimprofile,bottomsand appendages
U~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
a SLlb.r.[MS e: - er c X; ~~~~~
E-u0: ~ -o
Levelsinterms
2a5
of sub-Periods
18
.03 .01 a.0
6
.01
a 13 0
.0a .02 o-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

;
0
LP .02 .00 . __ .
,.O__
.3 .0 .02
a A .0 .0 .0 .0, a.02 .01 .00 00
a03.0
LateAguiar
Early Ponchile.0 .01 .00 .03 X o0
levels18-5208
levels 6-9 44
16 6 86
0Z1 6 14C 157 2
3C 08 43 12. 4 17
542H
levels~~~~~~~~~~~4
Early Chuilar
>41 .10 .03.0
5z 1 .06 010
.03 0 0 0 212
levels2- 8-3 1 610 7 229413 4 37
levels61-17 16 6 1 6 4 1 0 4 2521
Late A1 .02 .00. .

levels 18-0-1 2 43 3234
Late
EarlyPaone.0
Ag_la .01 .0
.01 .00 .0 .01
level 21 20
Early Pavon
level 22 43
ceramiccomplexes. The ceramicchangesalso bespeak heads at various sites in and around Panuco and he
cultural continuity. Perhaps more important,they statedthattheyall come fromunderEl Prisco Period
show the development of a relativelysimple (primitive materials. Discussionwithhim about the stratigraphic
and unsophisticated in all but the manufacturingtech- locationof these heads, observationof materialsfound
nique) ceramic complex of the Pavon Period into a in association with them,and comparisonswith the
sophisticated and rathertypicalMeso-Americanceramic figurinesunearthedat VC-2 indicatethat the twenty-
complex of the Chila and Aguilar Periods. Whether seven recognizableheads probablycame from Chila
this developmentis part and parcel of the general and/orAguilarPeriod deposits.
ceramic evolutionin Meso-America or whetherthis In undertaking of the figurines,
classification I relied
developmentreflectsthe gradual adoptionof more so- primarilyupon thosefoundin the excavationof VC-2.
phisticatedceramicconceptsfromsome Meso-American However,I have includedPavon's figurine heads when-
culturecenterby a backwardpeople in the Huasteca, ever possible in my classificationin order betterto
or a littleof both,mustawait additionaldata on other comprehendthe range of variation of some of the
earlyhorizonsin Meso-America. types. Some of theotherheads in the Pavon collection
have been tentativelyclassifiedinto types, awaiting
ARTIFACTS OF CLAY moreexact stratigraphic and perioddetermination.
FIGURI NES
In the literature,figurinetypes have usually been
set up on thebasis of thefactthatcertainfigurinesseem
Fragmentsof 18 figurine heads camefromtheexcava- to have beenmanufactured by roughlythe same method
tion. No heads were foundin the Chila Period levels and to reflectthe same aesthetic standards. The
and only one in the Pavon Period floors (a small primarypurpose of such classificationsseems to be
fragment). Levels 9 and 10 producedone head each, descriptive,and, secondarily,to establishchronology.
while3 wererecoveredfromlevel 11. Thus theAguilar It so happens that such a subjectiveclassificationof
Period is representedby 5 specimens. The Ponce figurines,due perhapsto the factthatthese subjective
Period is more adequatelyrepresentedas 11 were un- classes approach actual styles in the minds of their
covered. However, Roberto Pavon possessed about makers, has been useful in establishingchronology.
40 moreheads,27 of whichwere in good conditionand However, under such a methodsignificantareal and
are illustratedin this report. He had unearthedthese temporalvariationsmayperhapsbe lost.

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In my classificationI have adhered closely to the PrognathicElliptical-EyedType

previouslystateddefinition of a potterytypeand have
re-adaptedthis definition to figurines. I would define (fig.21, no. 7, 8, 9)
a figurinetypeas being: a class or group of figurines There were threespecimensof this typein level 20,
composed of interrelatedsimilar features (such as theearlypartof the Ponce Period. A fourthfragment,
methodof manufacture, kind of eye, ear, nose, orna- also fromthat level, may belong to this type,but its
mentation,headdress, surface finish, and mode of fragmentary naturemakes such a conclusiontentative.
execution)thathave temporal(stratigraphic)or spatial One of the diagnosticcharacteristics of this type is
significance. Such a type, I feel, will be the most the eyes, made by impressinginto the wet clay an
usefulin establishingchronology. ellipticalobject (or two truncatedovate objects over-
In establishingmy types,the firststep was to de- lapping at their bases), slanting slightlydownward
terminewhatthefeatureswere. At firstI distinguished toward the nose. The centerof the ellipticalhollow
a verylarge numberof features,includingall possible was piercedby a conical or pointedobject whichwas
variationsthat could be observed. The next step was drivenintothe clay sufficiently far so thatthe edges of
to find out which of the various featureswere sig- the hole were tangentto the edges of the elliptical
nificanttemporally. This was done by settingup a groove. The holes in all cases are filledwith black
correlationchart with the figurinefeatures as the asphaltpaint.
abscissa and, as the ordinate,the stratigraphiclevels Another characteristicof the type is full (rather
of Ekholm's Pavon and El Prisco sites, his Tancol negroid) evertedlips, withthe mouthhalfopen. The
excavation3, thePavon collection,and the stratigraphic lips appear to have been made by modelling two
levelsof VC-2. The numberof occurrencesof each of crescent-shaped appliques of clay on to the face below
the nose. Two of the specimensshow remnantsof
these featureswith regardto its stratigraphic position
black paint in the mouths.
or provincewas thenputin as thetabularvalues. From
Two otherimportantcharacteristics of the type are
such a chartthe featureshavingtemporalsignificance revealed by the profiles
(see fig. 21, 7B, 8B, 9B).
were readilyobservable. Next, I made a second chart First of all, the heads are plano- (or
slightlyconcavo-)
with the various combinationsof significantfeatures convex with top of the heads narrow and gradually
as the abscissa, and the stratigraphicperiods as the thickeningtoward the relativelysharp chin, which is
ordinate;the numberof specimensat each periodhav- the thickestportion in cross-section. In fact, the
ing any of theparticularrecombinedsignificant features profilesgive the impressionthat theirtype of figurine
constitutedthe tabularvalue. It was again observable is meant to depict individuals that had undergone
whichof thecombinedsignificant featureshad temporal fronto-occiptaldeformation. The second fact con-
significance. These classes or groups of specimens cerns the angle of the head. Unfortunately, none of
having combined(or interrelated)featuressignificant the heads I foundwere attachedto bodies,but the rela-
in timewereconsideredto be types. tion of the neck to the head is quite informative.As-
As may be seen fromfigure20, the figurineheads sumingthatthe neckswere straight,one may conclude
fronm theVC-2 excavationbelongto six different types, froma studyof the angle of the neck to the head that
while some of those fromthe Pavon collectiontenta- the heads were not in the same plane as the bodies,but
tivelycomprisethreemore types. One fragment from sloped backwardat a very noticeableangle fromthe
the excavationof VC-2 defied as
classification, did four verticalaxis of the body.
fromPavon's collection. Noses of the figurinesare broad and triangular
These types having featurestemporallyor strati- (specimenfig.21, no. 9 appears to be much worn but
graphicallysignificantwere then compared with fig- originallywas such), projectinga fair amount from
the face. Nostrils are not depicted. Ear plugs are
urines fromotherareas to see whethersome of them
presenton two of the specimens(fig. 21, no. 8, 9) and
did not have spatial significance.Since it was finan-
a brokenportionat the junctionbetweenthe head and
cially impossiblefor me to travel to see many actual
what was probablyan ear plug is presenton the third
specimensin otherareas,thestudyofspatialsignificance specimen(fig.
21, no. 7). Generallyspeaking,the ear
was seriouslyhampered. It was necessaryto compare plugs slope backward
fromthe ear to ear axis; they
my figurinesby lookingat photographsof specimens are roughlydoughnutshaped and have a large,
deep
fromotherareas, readingdescriptionsof them,or by centralperforation.
sending photographsof my figurinesto individuals The paste of the clay of the specimensis about the
familiarwith the materialfromotherregions,so that same as that of Progreso White; the surface of the
they mightmake the comparisons. In spite of these heads is smoothed,not polished; black asphalt paint
limitations,it has been tentatively establishedthatsome is used to accentuate eyeballs and mouth; and the
of thetypesare relatedto thoseof otherareas and thus heads are solid and hand modelled. Heads are large,
mayhave spatialsignificance. beingabout 7 cm. tall.

The characteristics mentionedabove are commonto withan applique of clay over the lefteye, a triangular
all the specimensof this type,while fiveof the charac- nose, crescenticapplique lips, is plano-convexin cross-
teristics(eye, lips, large size, profile,and slope of the section,prognathic,large in size, and has the typical
head) have significancein time and are considered centrallypunctatedellipticaleye. It shares all these
diagnosticof thetype. featureswith the Panuco specimenof fig. 21, no. 7.
The headdressesof the threespecimensdiffersome- The other specimenfromEl Salvador is prognathic,
what fromone anotherand mightbe the basis for the plano-convexin cross-section,has crescenticapplique
establishment of sub-typesor threerelatedtypeswhen lips, a triangularnose, a conical cap, and crudely
more specimensof this timeperiodare available. The executedpunctateellipticaleyes. It is rathersimilar
headdressof one is a hairknot(looking like a conical to the Panuco specimenof fig.21, no. 8. As has been
cap) on top of or througha crescent-shaped skull cap notedpreviously, theearly"Maya" typeof figurines ex-
(see fig.21, no. 9). It is painted with black asphalt tendsintoEl Salvador.43 Thus theresemblances, noted
paint. Anotherspecimenhas a simplecrescenticskull in thepreviousparagraphs,betweenthe earliestPanuco
cap (fig. 21, no. 8), while the thirdspecimenof this figurinetypesand those of the pre-classicMaya area,
type (fig. 21, no. 7) has a wide band of clay across are furtherconfirmedby the El Salvador (Maya)
the forehead,perhaps representingthe lower edge of specimens.
a crescenticcap, with an applique of clay above the In the southernVera Cruz areas none of the types
lefteye. This appliqueof clay looks like an ear of corn. are particularlysimilar to these Ponce Period speci-
Temporally,this type has significancein that it is mens thougheye typeand the large size of lower Tres
foundonly in the earliest level of the Ponce Period. Zapotes specimensare the same.44 In the Valley of
Spatially,the typehas significance in that it is similar Mexico onlyType Di shows even vague relationships.45
to some figurineheads fromthe Ulua River in Hon- Within the area, the prognathicelliptical-eyedtype
duras (fig. 25, no. 1-4) and fromthe Mamom Phase shows similaritiesto the bulging-eyetypewhichtenta-
of Uaxactun and at Miraflores. Of no. 9 of fig.21, R. tively was assigned by Ekholm to the El Prisco
E. Smithsays "the head withhair knotor conical cap Period,46thoughnone were actuallyfoundin excava-
is quite like a whiteor creamware typefromKaminal- tion.
juyu (Miraflores) whichhas red paint on the cap and In conclusion,it appearsthatthesePanuco specimens,
a vertical red stripe on either cheek."3 Ricketson in as far as can be determinedfromthe descriptions,
illustrateda head fromthe Mamom levels of Uaxactun photographs,and the few specimensI have seen, bear
(pl. 73, b, 3) witha verysimilarhair knotor conical greatestsimilarityto those fromthe Mamom Period
cap, and identicaleye form,ear plugs,nose, mouthand of Uaxactun. In fact, these similaritiesrepresent
lips.38 Furthermore,she states that those from perhaps the best concretelink, so far discovered,be-
Uaxactun,Mamomphase (includingtheone illustrated) tween the two great areas of Maya-speakingpeoples.
"show fronto-occipital deformation"like these from One is temptedto interpretthis similarityas the con-
Panuco.39 The othertwo specimens(fig. 21, no. 7, 8) tinuanceof a similar figurinetraditionin each area
are very similarto those illustratedby Ricketson(pl. from a horizon ancestral to both Mamom and the
73 a, 1, 2, 3, 4 and b, 1 and 2) fromMamom levels at Ponce Periods.
Uaxactun.40 R. E. Smith says "the usual mannerof
makingthe eye at your Rio Panuco site appears to be RealisticProjectingEyeball Type
identicalto that used at Uaxactun" and that the early
heads at Panuco are "very reminiscentof Uaxactun Two figurinesof this type were found in level 19
types in head form,features,head-dressor hair-do.4' of the Ponce Period (see fig.21, no. 5, 6). Both are
Furthermore,a few fromUaxactun even have an ap- large, very well modelled,aestheticallypleasing, and
plique of clay over the lefteye and on top of a skull are more Caucasian than Mongoloid in their facial
cap." 42 features. The delineationof the eyes is diagnosticfor
Mr. Hay of the AmericanMuseum of Natural His- this type. An eye was made by twice impressinginto
toryof New York, upon seeingmyfigurines, suggested the clay an object that,in cross-section,was roughly
I look at a collectionof figurinesfromEl Salvador in an isosceles triangle,with a flat or slightlyconcave
the Museum. Two of these figurineshave a most re- bottom. In each of these impressionsthe apexes of
markableresemblanceto two of the specimensof the the trianglewere impressedmost deeply and pointed
prognathicelliptical-eyedtype fromPanuco. One of in oppositedirections,while the less deeply impressed
these figurinesfromEl Salvador has a crescenticcap bases of the trianglesjust barely overlapped. This
made a diamond-shapedimpressionwith a definitely
37Personal communication. raised center. The raised center, looking like an
38 Ricketson,1937: pl. 73.
39 Ricketson, 1937: 211. 43R. E. Smith,1940: 248.
40 Ricketson,1937: pl. 73. 44Drucker, 1943a.
41 Personalcommunication. 45 Vaillant, 1930.
42 R. E. Smith,1936a: pl. 73a, b 1-4, d. 46 Ekholm,1944.

lIA B C 2 3 A B C
4 A B C 5 A B C
6 A B C 7 A B C
8 A B C 9 A B C
FIG. 21 ('/2 natural size).

eyeball, was then pierced in the center by a sharp menno. 6 offig.21 is foundat Uaxactun in the Mamom
pointed object to depict the pupil of the eye. The plate,accordingto R. E. Smith.49
eyes were originallymade on a slightlybulgingsurface Thus again anotherof our early typesfromPanuco
so that the subsequentimpressingcaused slightfolds is similar to ones from Uaxactun, Mamom phase.
lookinglike portionsof eyelids. The eyes are roughly However, it is perhapsalso significant that one of the
horizontal. heads of this type has a Dutch bob hairdo,not unlike
The noses are distinctive, beingwell modelled,slightly that commonlyfound on figurinesfrom early Tres
up-turned,and with nostrilsindicated. Lips are full, Zapotes.
everted, and slightlyparted. In cross-section,the
heads are ovoid with slightlyprojecting,well-rounded Puffed Cheeked Type
chins. The heads also appearto have beenset vertically
on the bodies. (fig. 21, no. 1, 4)
The paste and surfacefinishare about the same as in It is withsomehesitationthatI lumpthesetwo speci-
theprevioustypeand theheads are also solid and hand mensfromlevels 15 and 16, late Ponce Period,intothe
modelled. The skull cap, eyeballs,and mouthof one same type. They have in commonpuffedcheeks,well-
have been paintedwithasphaltpaint (fig.21, no. 6). rounded bulging foreheads,poorly defined rounded
One of theheads has doughnut-shaped ear ornaments chins,indistinct bulbousnoses,fullprojectinglips (both
(fig. 21, no. 6) while the otheris too badly brokento specimens'lips are partiallybroken) with half open
discernthem. mouths, strong thick necks, a well-roundedcross-
In headdress,thetwo are ratherdifferent.The more section,and are small in size (about 11/4incheshigh).
completespecimen(fig.21, no. 6) has a crescent-shaped They differin manyfeatures. One of the moreimpor-
skullcap, paintedwithblack asphaltpaint,and thereis tantdifferences is theeyes,one specimen(fig.21, no. 1)
a modelledobject,possiblyan ear of corn,over the left havinga small hole placed in the apex of a crescentic
eye. This headdress resemblesone of the prognathic groove,the hornsof whichpointdown,whilethe other
elliptical-eyed type (fig. 21, no. 7). The headdresson has a relativelylarge hole in the centerof a deep ellip-
the second specimen(fig. 21, no. 5), thoughpart of it tical groove (fig. 21, no. 4). Headdresses are almost
has been brokenaway, appears to representhair in a absent,the earlyspecimen(fig. 21, no. 4) havinglong
kind of Dutch bob style. protrusionson the side of the head lookinglike hair
Again the most similartypesto these two fromPa- knots,whilethe other(fig.21, no. 1) has two adjacent
nuco are fromthe Mamom phase of Uaxactun. The braids runningacross the top of the head as well as
eyes, ear ornaments,features,and head formseem to large protrusionson the side of the head. Each braid
be identical. To quote R. E. Smith,"at Uaxactun a on the latterspecimenis composedof threeflatover-
fewwerefoundwithhairindicatedas in yourspecimen" lappingellipticalpieces of clay. This typeof braiding
with the Dutch bob (fig. 21, no. 5).47 A few speci- is very similarto some fromCoban, Guatemala,and
mens fromearly Tres Zapotes (pl. 35) are similaras from the Mamon phase of Uaxactun.50 This latter
to hair and eye formbut the cross-sectionsand facial specimenhas black paint on the back of the head and
featuresare very different.48The headdressof speci- in the eyes and mouth,as well as small pieces of white
paint adheringon the face.
47Smith, personal communication. Good analogies to this type are unknown. It has
48 Drucker, 1943a: pl. 35d, g, h, i and n.
been suggestedthat it looks like some of the "baby
faces" of middleTres Zapotes,a suggestionwithwhich
FIG. 21. National Museum of Canada Neg. No. 210.
I do not concur. To me it appears more similar to
1. Puffed cheeked type from level 15. (A) front view; (B) some heads at Uaxactun in the Mamom Period, the
side view; (C) back view. puffed cheeked, human effigywhistles.51However,
2. Earliest figurinefragment. Type not determined,from level
21-22.
thoseat Uaxactun are whistlesand do not reallyconsti-
3. Small plain crescenticcap type,fromlevel 15, (A) front,(B) tutea figurinetype.
side, (C) back.
4. Puffed cheeked type, from level 16. (A) front, (B) side, Small Plain CrescenticCap Type
(C) back.
5. Realistic projecting eyeball type, from level 19. (A) front, One head was found in level 15, late Ponce times,
(B) side, (C) back. at VC-2 (fig. 21, no. 3) while RobertoPavon had six
6. Realistic projecting eyeball type. From level 19. Note ear
of corn above left eye on the cap. (A) front,(B) side, (C) fromhis excavations(fig.23, no. 13, 14, 15, 24, 25, 26).
back. Probablythe latterbelongto the Aguilar Period. The
7. Prognathic elliptical-eyedtype, from level 20. Note ear of heads are small, being 11?2 inches in height; the sur-
corn applique above lefteye. (A) front,(B) side, (C) back. faces are smoothed,oftenhaving a thin slip or clay
8. Prognathic elliptical-eyed type with plain crescentic cap.
From level 20. (A) front,(B) side, (C) back. 49Smith, personal communication.
9. Prognathic elliptical-eyedtype with conical cap or hair-knot, 50 Ricketson, 1937, pl. 74a.
from level 20. (A) front. (B) side, (C) back. 51 Ricketson,1937: 213.

wash. Characteristically, the heads have a crescentic The pasteis similarto thatof Chila White. Surfaces
cap, large doughnut-shaped pierced ear plugs (except are oftenpaintedor washedwhite,eyeballsand mouths
one, fig. 23, no. 14, which has ear balls), triangular are oftenblack and faces bear red or black stripeson
pointed noses, appliqued and lips. The heads are them. There is considerablerangein size in thistype,
roughlytriangularin cross-section,with the apex of withtheearlierones inclinedto be largerthanthe later
the triangleat the top of the head. The eyes are like ones.
the realisticprojectingeyeballtype. Temporally,the typebelongsto Aguilar and the late
These heads may be a developmentfromthe earlier Ponce horizon. Justwhat is ancestralto the type is
prognathicelliptical-eyed type. Temporally,theymay difficultto say. The large coarse paste type,defined
be characteristicof late Ponce and earlyAguilartimes. by Ekholm,53of the Chila Period may be derived
There is a good resemblancein head form,eye type, fromthistype.
facialfeatures,and crescenticcap to some of thosefrom Spatially, closest relationshipsare again with the
Uaxactun, Mamom phase. Specifically,this Panuco Mamomphase ofUaxactun,and withKaminaljuyu(see
type is very similar to one illustratedby Thompson fig. 25, no. 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13). R. E. Smith il-
fromBenque Viejo, Period Ia (contemporaneouswith
lustrateda head extremelysimilar to this type from
Mamom of Uaxactun)52 (see fig.25, no. 8, 9).
the earliestlevel at Uaxactun.54 The scalloped edged
One of the heads fromthe El Salvador collectionsof
striatedcap, the eyes, head form,and facial features
the American Museum of Natural History of New
York is extremelysimilarto this type fromPanuco. are identical in figurinesof the two areas. R. E.
Similaritiesare the kind of eye, nose, lips, cap, cross- Smithwas at firststruckbytheremarkableresemblance,
section,and earplugs. and on seeing the photographof one of my scalloped-
Thus again anotherof theearlyPanuco Ponce Period edged cap type,he wrotethatit was an "excellentpre-
figurinetype has its closest analogies with those from classic type . . . appearing to resemble Uaxactun
the Maya area. examples." With true scientificcautionhe wanted to
know the paste type and said that "profileswould
Scalloped-Edged Cap Type helpto strengthen or detractfromthisopinion." Upon
Fourteenspecimensof thistypewereavailable. Two seeingphotographsof the profilesand havingthe paste
of the specimenscome fromthe lower levels (14 and described,he thoughtthey were "very reminiscentof
15) of the Ponce period,and two come fromthe upper Uaxactun types,"that "the hair or perhaps turbanis
levels (10 and 11) of theAguilarPeriod in the excava- generallyindicatedin much the same way," and that
tions at VC-2 (fig. 22, no. 7, 9, 10). Ten specimens one of his specimens55 " . . even has a hole in the
.
were in the Pavon collectionand may be of Aguilar top of the head as does yours" (fig. 22, no. 9). A
Period times (see fig.23, no. 1-10). numberof specimensfromKaminaljuyuhave not only
The eyes are one of the diagnosticsof thetype,being facial features,eyes, cap and size identicalto those
shallow ellipticalor half-moonimpressionson a bulge fromPanuco, but one even has earballs (see fig. 25,
in the clay, with a large perforationby a sharp cone no. 13).
for the eyeball. As characteristicas the eyes is a
The presence of a goatee or small beard on one
scalloped-edgecrescenticcap or hairarrangement.The
specimenof thistype (fig.22, no. 7) suggestsrelation-
surfaceof this cap or the hair is markedby vertical
striations. There is some variationin the numberof ships with Middle Tres Zapotes. However,the other
scallops,from2 to 12 scallops appearing (commonly, featuresof the heads of thistypeare not similar.56
theyare 3 in number). One of the specimens(fig.22, Vaguer relations of the scalloped-edgedcap type
no. 9) has a triangularappliqueon thecap, with3 scal- may also be seen to the earliestexamplesof Vaillant's
lops at the base of the triangle. It looks a littlelike a Di types from Early Zacatenco. The general facial
maple leaf. features,the eyes and hair of my Panuco type are
Facial featuresare well done, noses beingtriangular generallysimilar to his illustrationsno. 5, top row,
and slightlyupturned. Two specimens(fig. 22, no. 9; and no. 4 and 5, bottomrow, of plate XVIII.57 One
fig.23, no. 1) have nose plugs. Lips are pronounced typeA figurine, presumablyof Middle Zacatencotimes,
but well modelledintothe face,and are slightlyparted. has a similarheaddressand eye type.58 However,the
At leastsevenofthespecimens(fig.22, no. 7, 9; fig.23, resemblanceof his typesare not as close to the Panuco
no. 2-6) have ear balls. Others may have originally typeas are thosefromUaxactun.
had such and a definiteear plug appears only on one
specimen(fig.23, no. 10). In cross-section, heads are 53Ekholm, 1944.
54 Smith, 1936a.
ovoid and evidentlyslope back fromthe verticalaxis of
55R. E. Smith, 1936a: fig.2.
the body. One specimen has a small, well defined 56 Drucker,1943a.
goatee or small beard (fig. 22, no. 7).
57Vaillant, 1930.
52 Thompson,1942: fig.55b. 58Vaillant, 1930: pl. XXI, third row, no. 4.

Coarse Flat Rectangular-EyedType If it is decided that this is a true "baby-face"type,
then it would speak for the contemporaneity of the
Two specimenswere foundin Aguilar Period levels,
early part of Middle Tres Zapotes of southernVera
levels9 and 11 respectively (fig.22, no. 5, 6). Roberto
Cruz and the Aguilar Period. The typeis also similar
Pavon informsme that theyalso are foundassociated
to the puffed-cheeked typeof Panuco in a generalway.
with potteryof the Chila Period, but we foundnone
in our excavations. (It must be remembered,how- Hair-knotNegroid Type
ever,thatour Chila Period remainswere scanty.)
Characteristicof the type are the eyes made of two These threeheads (fig. 23, no. 19, 20, 21) are from
slanting rectangularimpressionsend to end, with a the Pavon collectionand may belong to the Chila or
small round punctationbetweenthem. The sides of Aguilar Period. None were foundin excavation.
the head indicate ear plugs to have been doughnut The faces are ovoid in shape. Noses are triangular,
shaped, juttingout fromthe head and parallel to the very wide and flattened. Lips are thick (applique
ear to ear axis. Lips are pinched out and mouths clay), mouthsare openedand relativelylargein propor-
are indicatedby two punctations. Noses are triangular tion to the face. Eyes are roughlysemi-lunarwiththe
and not prominent, and may or may not have nostrils lunar tips pointingdown, while the eyeball is repre-
indicated. The backs of the heads are flat,and the sentedby a roundpunctation. On the top of the head
faces are nearly flat except for the jutting of the is a glob of clay markedby a series of deep, widely
pointedchinand thenose. One headdressis a rectangu- spaced verticalincisions. Ear ornamentsare peculiar
lar cap, while the other is a rectangularturban-like in thattheyare neitherballs nor roundplugs but hang
cap composedof two almostparallelbands of clay. down like over-extendedor stretchedlarge ear lobes.
The heads are relativelylarge, one being 2 inches Eyeballs and eyebrowsare usually indicatedby black
in height while the other is 23/4 inches high. The paint. One specimen(fig.23, no. 21) is paintedblack
paste is coarse, slightlycoarserthanthe paste of Chila all over. Surfacesare smoothand the paste is about
White, and the surfaceis smoothed. In their coarse the same as thatof othertypes.
paste and large size they are radicallydifferent from Analogieswiththistypein otherareas are not good.
Ekholm's flat rectangular-eyed type, though they are From Middle Tres Zapotes, Drucker's figurinesin
similarin certainotherrespects.59No doubtthis type pl. 45, K and L and pl. 37 L,63 look similarbut, of
is ancestralto Ekholm'stype. course,it is difficult
to tell fromphotographs.Weiant's
One of thetypeA specimensthatVaillantillustrates, figurinesfromTres Zapotes pl. 21, 1 and pl. 27-3, 4
coming from Middle Zacatenco times, has a similar and 5, also show some resemblanceto the Panuco
eye formand the cross-sectionis almostidentical.60 type,but again the resemblanceis not too marked.64
From Cerro de las Mesas, Lower I, Druckerillustrates
Pseudo Baby-Face Type (pl. 27i) one verysimilaras to eyes, mouthand nose
but his has no hair knot.65 Perhaps the most similar
(fig. 22, no. 8) specimens come from La Venta, with similar eyes,
The one specimenfoundcomes fromlevel 11 of the lips, hair knot, and cross-section(see Drucker, pl.
Aguilar Period. It is verysimilarto some of thebaby- 3e and pl. 4n and o).66
face types from Tres Zapotes illustratedby Weiant
Crew-CutType
1943 (pl. 19, figs. 7, 8, and 9) and may representa
variant of such.61 It is similar in having: a short, Two figurinesof this type are in the Pavon collec-
broad nose with nostrils indicated; a mouth which tion. Eyes, features,paste,and generalhead formare
droops slightlyat the corners,and with lips poorly similar to the scalloped-edgedcap type. The hairdo
indicated;a simpleheaddress,beinga two-strand turban is distinctive,being a small ovoid mass of clay in the
meetingat the centerof thehead (like figs.7-9 ofpl. 19, centertop of the head, markedby fineparallelvertical
Weiant, 1943) ;62 roundand puffedcheeks; roundedor striations(fig. 23, no. 16, 17).
"puffed"foreheads,and a suggestionof a double chin; Analogous types from other areas have not been
and a solid,hand modelledhead, ovoid in cross-section. found.
The head is unlike those from Tres Zapotes in its
brown coarse paste, its open eye composed of two Coarse-PasteType
triangularimpressionswith a central round hole for Ekholm originallydefinedthis type from five fig-
the eyeball,and in its roundear balls below the ears. urines purchased in Panuco and one found in the
Whether the differencesoutweigh the similarities fillof Mound A at Las Flores.67 The two specimens
to decide with only one specimenavailable.
is difficult
63 Drucker,1943a.
59 Ekholm, 1944. 64 Weiant, 1943.
60 Vaillant,1930: pl. XXI, top row,no. 5. 65 Drucker, 1943b.
61 Weiant,1943. 66 Drucker, 1947.
62 Ibid. 67 Ekholm, 1944.

1 2 3 _ l
5 A B C 6 A B C
7 A B C8 A B C
9 A B C 10 AB
1. Bird effigy whistlewithsmallloop handleon its back,from 7. Scalloped-edgedcap type,fromlevel10. Notegoatee. (A)
level8. front,(B) side, (C) back.
2. Anthropomorphized birdrattleor whistle,fromlevel6. 8. Pseudo baby-face,fromlevel 11. Note ear ball in sideview.
3. Monkeyeffigy, fromlevel9. (A) front,(B) side, (C) back.
4. Body fragment of a figurine
withthreelegs and fourteats. 9. Scallop-edgedcap type,fromlevel 15. Note prominent ear
5. Coarse flatrectangular-eyed type,fromlevel 9. (A) front, appliqueon cap. (A)
balls and triangularmaple-leaf-like
(B) side, (C) back. front,(B) side, (C) back.
6. Coarse flat rectangular-eyed type, from level 11. (A) 10. Fragmentof scalloped-edge type,fromlevel 12. (A) front,
front,(B) side, (C) back. (B) back.

illustrated(fig. 23, no. 11, 12) in this reportare from Aberrant3 (fig. 23, no. 18). The specimenis in
the Pavon collection. Thus all examples are not the Pavon collection. The paste is coarse and the
definitelytied by stratigraphy to any particularperiod. surfaceis badlyeroded. The nose and lips are broken.
Discussions with Roberto Pavon indicated that they However,the natureof the break on the face suggests
mightbelong to the Chila Period. However, two of that the nose may have been triangular. Eyes were
Ekholm's specimensof this type have the ear balls made placing a centralround punctateinside the im-
thatare so characteristic of the AguilarPeriod. pressions made by two triangularimpressionswith
The paste of this type was describedas coarse by overlappingbases.
Ekholmand is about the same as thatof all my earlier In cross-sectionthe back of the head is flat,while
types. Surfacesare smoothed. The faces are round; the frontis thin at the top, graduallythickeningto-
eyes are slanted, being made by placing a central ward the chin.
round punch inside the groove made by two isosceles The cap is crescenticand bears incisionsradiatingout
triangularimpressionsoverlappingat theirbases. The fromthe face.
most distinctivefeatureof the typeis the asymmetrical This one is similarto ones illustratedby Ricketson
headdressoverthelefteye. These headdressesresemble (pl. 73, 6) from the Mamom phase of Uaxactun.7'
a three-fingered hand with the fingerspointingdown. From Middle Tres Zapotes a numberof specimensthat
Analogies to this type are unknown. One head Weiant calls "a Uaxactun type" (pl. 16, 1 and 2)
fromCerro de las Mesas, trench13, 60-72 inch level, are even more similar; even the paste appears to be
Lower II Period (see Drucker,pl. 56, row 4, no. 2) comparable.72
does look similar,but it is difficult to tell fromthe Aberrant4. This head is in the Pavon collection.
photograph.68Ekholm suggesteda relationshipto fig- It is small,has a coarse paste and is badlyworn. Each
urinesofcentraland southernVera Cruz on thebasis of eye is made by placing two punctatesinto a small
the paste; I am inclinedto agree with him,although filletof clay (coffee bean eye). The nostrilsof the
manytypeswiththe above-mentioned diagnosticchar- nose are indicated,while the mouth is composed of
acteristicshave not yet been foundsouth of Panuco.69 threepunctates.
This type may well have developed locally fromthe The eye, nose and mouth are similar to those on
scalloped-edgedcap type. Type C figurinesin the Valley of Mexico 73 (fig. 23,
no. 22).
A berrants Aberrant5 (fig. 23, no. 23). This one fromPavon
One aberrantwas found in excavation,while four collection has coarse paste and white paint on its
were in the Pavon collection. I mightadd that I be- smoothsurface. The nose is roughlytriangularand
lievetheone head thatEkholmfoundin thelowerlevels the mouthseems to have been only a slit in the clay.
(Chila Period) at the Pavon site is also an aberrant.70 Lips, if they occurred,have been eroded away. The
These six heads do not have similaritiesto othersin eyes are badly worn but seem to have been two
the Panuco area, thougha few are similarto ones in obliquegroovespointingtowarda centralroundperfora-
otherareas. Thus a fewofthesemaybe tradefigurines. tion. A lock of hair,indicatedby a glob of clay bearing
Aberrant1. This top portionof a head came from striations,extendsdown onto the forehead. The hair
VC-2, level 22, floor5, of the Pavon Period (fig. 21, also extendsdown the side of the head in a Dutch or
no. 2). It is of coarser paste than any of the other page-boybob.
specimensfromthe site. The head evidentlyhad a It is quite similarin eyes,head form,nose, and hair
crescenticcap with a notched edge surroundingthe to Type C of Lower Tres Zapotes.74 Unfortunately the
face,and had eithera conical cap or conical hair knot head is from the Pavon collectionand its temporal
on the top of the head. Only a portionof one eye may provenanceat Panuco is not definitely known,though
be seen; it appears to have been made by piercingthe it mightbe of theAguilaror Chila Period.
sloping foreheadwith a conical object (like a pencil
point) at an angle up and out fromthe nose. This FigurineLimbs and Bodies
is totallyunlikeany eyes I have seen fromMexico.
Aberrant2 (fig. 23, no. 13). This head is from Seventy-twolimb and body fragmentswere found
the Pavon collection. The paste is coarse and the in the excavations. Two body fragmentscame from
surfaceonly slightlysmoothed. The nose is bulbous, the Pavon Period levels (level 21); twelvebody and
the lips thick and everted,the eyes are half moon ten limbfragments came fromthe Ponce Period levels;
impressionswith central round punctates. The cap eightbody fragments and twenty-seven limbfragments
or turbanhas a latticemade of strips of clay and is came from the Aguilar Period while four body frag-
in
triangular shape. 71 Ricketson,1937.
68 Drucker,1943b. 72Weiant, 1943.
69 Ekholm,1944. 73 Vaillant, 1930.
70 Ibid. 74 Drucker, 1943a: pl. 26c.

596 MAcNEISH: ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE IN VERA CRUZ [TRANS. AMER. I'HIL. SOC.
1 2 3 4 S 6
7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 1S 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29
FIG. 23 (1/2natural size).

ments and nine limb fragmentscame fromthe Chila Arms are, forthe mostpart,shortand conical; four
Period deposits. long cylindricalcurved fragments fromAguilar levels,
Generallyspeaking,few changes can be seen. One and one from the Ponce levels, are either arms or
general change is that there appears to be a definite loop handlesof a pot.
decreasein body size fromearly to late thatsomewhat The legs and feetdiffersomewhatfromthose previ-
parallels the changes in head size. Generallyspeak- ously described for the Huasteca. The thighs are
ing, however,early heads are larger in proportionto usuallyroundand full,butthelowerleg is distinguished
bodies. With one possible exception,all body pieces fromthem by a shallow groove encirclingthe leg at
are of femalesand are unclothed. Figures are wasp- about the knee. Often the grooves are filled with
wasted, have bulginghips, ratherbox-likechests and asphalt paint. This type of leg is but rarely found
squared shoulders,and small, poorly-defined breasts in Chila and the laterperiodsat Panuco. This groove
low on the chests. Navels are usually marked by a is foundoccasionallyon the legs of Types C and D in
punctate. Most bodies are solid, but two legs which theValleyof Mexico,and in theMaya area at Uaxactun
are hollow and obviously attached to hollow bodies in the Mamom Period it appears to be fairlycommon.
indicatethat probablya very few bodies were hollow. Specimenof feetare not commonin the Ponce Period.
The bodies do not differsignificantly fromotherbody If representedat all, it is by a slight bend in the
fragmentsof the El Prisco Period nor from other taperingconical lower leg. In the Aguilar levels a
earlyhorizonsin Meso-America. There are fourexcep- few specimenshave boot-likefeet and one has toes
tions to this body form. One came from level 21, imarkedon it. Another type of leg, with the large
the Pavon Period, and is a chest fragment. It is buttockedtypeof body,has been previouslydescribed.
squared, painted with asphalt, withoutbreasts or a The generalstanceof all bodies appears to have been
wasp-waist,and bears four or five elliptical,vertical, a standingpositionwith legs slightlyapart and arms
small appliques of clay on the body spaced at random. extended. One seated figurewith legs spread was
Both Weiant75 and Drucker illustratesimilar bodies foundin level 8.
fromsouthernVera Cruz and it may be consideredto
be a definiteLower Tres Zapotes trait.76 Another Conclusions
exceptionalpiece comes fromlevel 20. This may be a
fragment of the body of an anirtal (see fig.22, no. 4). The figurinedata speak stronglyfor a connection
It has two bowed legs and a bowed thirdleg or large between the Mamom Period of Uaxactun and the
tail. The belly is round and the chest and shoulders Ponce Period of Panuco. The eye types,particularly
narrow. Two prominentbreastsare on the chest and that one with a large punctate inside an elliptical
two small nobs (possibly breasts) are on the lower groove,thethickevertedlips,the scalloped-edgedhead-
belly. The body of the figurineis hollow and has dress,the puffedor blowing-cheek the general
figurine,
black asphalt paint on the back, legs, and shoulders. featuresof the prognathicelliptical-eyedtype,and the
Drucker notes that some figurinebodies from Tres groovesaround the legs of the figurinesare but a few
Zapotes have a tripodsupport.77The othertwo excep- of the similaritiesbetweenspecimensof the two areas.
tions came from level 3. Both have short stubby Actually,no identicalheads, since paste and surface
cylindricallegs with four incisionsat their tips, evi- finishesare very slightlydifferent,are found,but the
dentlyto representtoes. The hips are narrow and manyresemblancesmentionedabove indicatea genetic
about the same width as the waist and thighs. The relationship. Certainlythe Ponce figurinesare more
buttocksare, however,prominentand the navel and similarto those of Mamom (and the "Archaic" of the
vaginaare marked. Maya Lowlands and GuatemalaHighlands) than they
are to those fromTres Zapotes, Monte Alban, or the
75Weiant, 1943: pl. 35, no. 4 and 6. Valley of Mexico. The AguilarPeriod heads show less
76Drucker,1943a: pl. 36;. resemblanceto the Maya area and only slight re-
77Drucker, 1943a: 81. semblanceto thesouthernVera Cruz area. The pseudo
baby-facefigurineand some figurinesfromthe Pavon
FIG. 23. collectionare generallysimilarto thosefromthe early
1-10. Scalloped-edgecap type,fromthe Pavon collection. part of Middle Tres Zapotes, thoughthe resemblance
11-12.Coarse paste type. Pavon collection. is not as strikingor as great as that of the Ponce
13. Aberranttype. figurinesto thosein the Maya area.
13-15.Small plaincrescenticcap type.
16-17.Crew cut type. With the exceptionof the similaritiesof the earliest
18. Aberranttype. typesto thosein the Maya area, the modelledfigurines
19-21.Hair-knotnegroidtype. from Panuco are rather distinctiveand appear to
22. Aberranttype. representa strong local traditionwith only minor
23. Aberranttype.
24-26. Small plaincrescentic
cap type. externalrelationships. Perhaps when our samples of
27. Small birdfigurine. figurinesare larger, more external relationshipsand
28-29. Small effigyjars. chronologicallinks may be found,but at presentthey

1 ~~~2 5 6
4
7 8
10 11 12 13 14
9
W.M.B
is 16 17 1
22
20 21
23 24 25 26
FIG. 24 (1/ natural size).

are few and the sample of materialsfound in strati- SMALL EFFIGY VESSELS
graphicpositionis veryinadequate.
In the Pavon collectionare two verysmall (2 inches
high) effigyjars (fig. 23, no. 28, 29). Each of them
ANIMAL FIGURINES
has a modelledhumanface on one side withchin,lips,
In level 18 a small seated "monkey"figurinewas nose, and ear plugs representedby appliques,whilethe
found (fig. 22, no. 3). The figureis verycrude,with eyes are ellipticalimpressionsbearingcentralpunctates.
cone-shapedbody,no legs, a long arm reachingdown Similar small effigyjars have been found in the
to the stomach (the second arm is missing), and a earlylevelsof Uaxactun.
tail reachingaround fromthe back and restingon the
arm. The face was made by a placinga hemispherical WHISTLES
bitofclay near theapex of the cone,withtwo punctates One whole bird effigywhistlewas foundin level 3,
for eyes. Broken surfaces at the edge of the head Chila Period (fig. 22, no. 1). The chamberof the
indicate that ears may have been present. It was whistleis cylindrical(about an inch in diameter) with
paintedblack. a short,sharp, taperingwhistlemouth about % inch
The second specimenis fromlevel 17 and is only in diameter. This portionevidentlyrepresentsthebody
the snout of some animal. The snout is a truncated of a bird. Two shortconical feetextend down from
cone withtwo nostrilspunchedin the upper portionof the frontof it and on the oppositeside a shortthick
one end and a semi-lunarmouthcut on the opposite neckextendsupward. The head is roundwitha comb
side just underthesnout. on top and long straightbeak. One stop valve is on
The finalfigurinewas probablya rattleas the body theside near thefrontof thebody,whilethe remainsof
is hollow (fig. 22, no. 2). It has threeshortconical a small centeredloop handle is on the top of the back.
legs, two triangularprotrusionsfromthe globularbody A fragmentof a bird head, found in level 9 of
representing arms (or wings) and the chest is pierced Aguilar times,may have been part of a whistle. In
by two holes, possiblyrepresenting breasts. The neck levels 19 and 20, Ponce Period, two small fragments
tapersfromthe body into a globularprotrusionwhich of the globularbodies of whistleswere found with a
is capped by an ellipticalapplique of clay and has two singlestop hole on each. The fragmentfromlevel 19
doughnut-shapedappliques on the side of the head has the brokenportionof a small loop handle. Both
(ears or ear plugs?). The face is missingbut proba- have asphaltpainton them.
bly protruded. It is painted black and came from Effigybird whistlesare commonin earlyhorizonsin
level 9. I not onlydo not know of any similareffigies Meso America. However, bird whistles with small
but I do not even know what animal this one was loop handles seem to appear only in Mamom of
meantto represent. Uaxactun,78Lower Tres Zapotes of southernVera
In level 6 a head with a long pointedbeak and a Cruz and the earlyperiodsat Panuco. These rather
79
round punchedeye was found. This may have been complex objects certainlyseem to indicatea connection
partof a whistle. between the threeareas in early Formativetimes.
In the Pavon collectionthere is a small bird head. CLAY BALLS, CLAY BEADS, AND DISCS
The eyes are doughnut-shaped appliques of clay. The
beak is brokenbut seems to have been a shortconical A fewsolid clay balls were foundat variouslevels of
applique of clay,whileon top of the head is a spherical the Ponce and Aguilar Periods, thoughtheyare rela-
applique of clay resembling a hair knot. tivelyrare in the Chila Period. They do not occur in
the Pavon Period. They range in size from2% inch
FIG. 24. to 1 inchin diameterand averageabout 3/4 inch.
1. Potsherddisc. They are solid, smoothedexternally,poorly fired,
2. Spindlewhorl(?) fromlevel2, probablyintrusive. and a few have whitepaint on them. They may have
3. Piercedpotsherd disc. been used for gamingor as missilesin blow guns or
4. Cross-section of large-claybead. slings (fig.24, no. 6, 8).
5. Large claybead. Frequent in the Ponce levels and appearingin the
6. Solid clay ball. lowerlevels of the Aguilar Period,as well as one frag-
7. Small claybead.
8. Small solidclayball. mentin an upperlevel of the Pavon Period,are hollow
9-13. Figurinearms. clay balls. These hollow clay balls range fromone to
14. Large hollowclay ball. two inches in diameter. They have the paste of
15-19.Figurinelegs. Progreso White and their walls are about 1/8 to 1/4
20-23. Figurinechests. inch thick. Their surfacesare smoothand manybear
24. Figurinechestwithverticalellipticalappliqueson body the remainsof a whitewash or thinwhiteslip. Usually
paintedblackwithasphaltpaint,fromlevel21.
25. Late typefigurine
body,fromlevel3. 78Ricketson, 1937: 215.
26. Early typefigurine
body,fromlevel20. 79 Drucker, 1943a: 81.

1 ~2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9
10 1 12 13
FIG. 25.

VOL. 44, PT. 5. 19541 REPORT ON VC-2 601
two small holes pierce the outer surfaceon opposite theyalso probablywere used as ear ornaments,since
sides. Two whole specimenshad small poorly fired figurinesof this period have spherical ornamentsat
clay pellets in their interior. These may have func- theears (fig.23, no. 4, 5, 7).
tionedas beads or rattles,or possiblyas ear ornaments Clay discs ground frompotsherds,whetherpierced
(see fig.24, no. 14). or unpierced,were found mainlyin the Aguilar and
From levels 16 and 18 of the Ponce Period,one frag- Chila Period levels, though one did occur in Ponce
ment from each level consistedof clay balls two to levels. The sherdsgroundintodiscs are usuallysherds
three inches in diameterwith Progreso White paste of ProgresoWhite or Aguilar Gray (fig. 24, no. 1, 3).
and surface finish. These fragmentsbore numerous From level 2 of the Chila Period one fragmentof a
holes about 1/4inch in diameterand 3/4inch apart all spindlewhorl was found (fig. 24, no. 2). It has the
over theirsurfaces. I suspecttheywere rattles,though paste and color of Aguilar Gray. It is about an inch
my workmenreferredto themas sieves. They were in diameterand consistsof two disc-shapedparts set
foundalso in the El Prisco and Las Flores periods. one on theother. One disc is about1/2inchin diameter
Confinedalmostentirelyto the Aguilar Period levels whilethe other,withbevellededges,is about 1 inch in
are sphericalclay beads. Their paste is like that of diameter. The center of the whorl is pierced by a
Heavy Buff and their surfaces smooth and painted hole 1/4 inch in diameter. On the outer surfaceof the
white. They range in size from1/4inch to 1 inch in larger disc is a single incised line around the edge.
diameterand average about % inch. They are solid As Ekholmhas noted,spindlewhorlsare mostpopular
except for a hole runningthroughthem. These cer- in the Las Flores Period (Period V).80 However,he
tainlymay have functionedas beads for necklacesand did find one in the lower levels of Excavation 3 at
Tancol associatedwiththeTancol complex. One might
FIG. 25.
suspectthat the spindlewhorlin level 2 of VC-2 was
somehowintrusivefromthe mixed level 1, exceptthat
a skull cap
Prognathicellipticaleyed typezwith
its paste and surfaceare like thatof Aguilar Gray.
1. FigurinefromUlua RiverValleyHonduras,probably
Playa
de los Muertos ofPeabodyMuseum
in collections
culture of
ARCH ITECTURAL FEATURES
HarvardC/10g 80.
2. PoncePeriodfigurine fromVC-2 excavationsat Panuco, One clay toy or modelfromPavon's collectionstells
VeraCruz,Mexico.
much concerningthe everyday architectureof the
Progniathicellipticaleyedtypewitha coizicalcap ( ?) people of the early periods (see fig.27). The strati-
3. Figurine fromKaminaljuyu, Guatemala City,Guatemala, in graphicprovenienceof this object is not known,but
collectionsof PeabodyMuseumof Harvard(36-35-20)/ the paste and surfacefinishare those of the Progreso
4719.
4. PoncePeriodfigurine fromVC-2 excavations at Panuco, White potterytypeand I thinkit can be fairlysafely
VeraCruz,Mexico. assignedto the Ponce or Aguilar Period.
The object is a small clay model of a house about
Scallopedcap typewithdoublehair braidson topof thehead.
5. AguilarPeriodfigurine fromVC-2excavations at Panuco, four incheslong, 11/2incheswide and 31/2incheshigh.
VeraCruz,Mexico. The floorplan of the house is apsidal with a door in
6. Figurine fromKaminaljuyu, GuatemalaCity,Guatemala, in one of the longer sides. The walls of the house are
collectionsof PeabodyMuseumof Harvard(48-30-20)/ vertical,smoothed,and paintedwhite. At the apex of
17888. the roofthereis depicteda long pole, whichat either
7. Figurine fromPanuco,VeraCruz,Mexico,inthecollections
of Roberto Pavonthatmaybelongto theAguilar or Chila end fitsinto forkedpoles (evidentlyroof supportsor
periods. pillars comingfromwithinthe house). Brushingor
scratchingon the surfaceof the roofradiatesout from
Plaifi crescenticcap typewitha bifurcated cap and projecting
piercedeyeballs. thisexteriorridgepole and evidentlyis meantto depict
8. PoncePeriodfigurine fromVC-2 excavations at Panuco, thatchor grass. This roofoverhangsthe walls. Thus
VeraCruz,Mexico. it would appear thatthe apsidal thatchedroofedhouse
9. Drawingof figurine fromBenqueViejo Ia in collection of withan externalridgepole and forkedroofsupportsstill
PeabodyMuseum ofHarvard. in use amongtheHuastecs and commonin theHuasteca
Scallopedcap typewitha cap composedof overlapping leaves. has a long historythat extends back to the Ponce or
10.Figurine fromKaminaljuyu, GuatemalaCity,Guatemala, in Aguilar Period. It is importantto note that the
thecollections of the PeabodyMuseumof Harvard,(48- structureA. L. Smith unearthedand restoredfrom
30-20)/17889. under structureAV-1 at Uaxactun (Mamom Period)
11.Figurine fromPanuco,VeraCruz,Mexico,inthecollectionsis almost identicalwith the one describedabove.8'
ofRoberto Pavon-Aguilar or PoncePeriod.
12.Figurine fromKaminaljuyu, GuatemalaCity,Guatemala, in Excavation of architectural featuresappears to con-
thecollectionsofthePeabodyMuseum ofHarvardC/10790. firmthe occurrenceof thistypeof house,forextending
Noteearballsinstead ofearplugs. down fromlevel 3 or 4 of the Chila Period were four
13.PoncePeriodfigurine fromexcavation VC-2,Panuco,Vera
Cruz,Mexico. Noteearballsa common feature in figurine 80 Ekholm,1944.
ofthistypeat Panuco. 81 A. L. Smith,1950:
fig.10 and p. 13,or Wauchope,1934.

FG. 26. Modern houssothHutea
postholes. They describe a semicircleand may well They may have served as scrapers. One retouched
be part of the end of a round,oblong,or apsidal house
obsidian chip from level 19 may have been an end
like our clay model. Wattle and daub in this level, scraper.
as well as on floors 1, 2, and 3, reveal the type of The distribution of obsidianand flintchipsis of some
wall structurein use at the time (see fig.29). interest: obsidian is absent from the Pavon Period
levels, while seven flintflakesare present. However,
CLAY CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS beginningwiththe Ponce Period levels,obsidianchips
One clay fragmentof a cylindricalobject of heavy began to outnumberthe flintflakes in an increasing
buffpaste was found in level 20. This mightbe a proportion.
spout of a vessel but the fragmentis so small as to
GROUND STONE
impossible.
make exact identification
Vessel spouts are very commonin the lower Tres Ground stone objects are not numerousand they
Zapotes and Mamomphases.82 are mostlysmall fragments of artifacts.
Ten fragmentsof metatesexist. None were found
in Chila levels and only one in Pavon levels. On
S15s5~~~~~~~W
W5w5 ws9 NW
FIG. 27. Clay modelof a house fromearlylevels

(1/2 naturalsize).
STONE, BONE, AND SHELL

CHIPPED STONE
S5
S5 E50 o-o N5 E
Chipped stone artifactsfrom the early levels at
Panuco are very rare. In level 20 the centralportion
of a flintblade (about 3/4inchwide) was found. This
may representpartof a projectilepoint. One irregular
flintflake fragmentwith retouchingalong one edge E5
was found in each of the levels 21, 20, 19, and 9.
FIG. 28. Floor plan of VC-1 at a depth of 3.5 feet with features
82 Drucker,1943a. extendingdown fromthe refuse indicatedby shading.

iao N15 III. A REPORT ON VC-1
EXCAVATION TECHNIQUE
VC-1 was the first"dig" of the 1948 season in the

regionnorthof Panuco. It was originallyundertaken
in the beliefand hope thata testtrenchwould uncover
a thickdeposit of refuse (like that to be observedat
the river bank 80 feetto the east) with relativeease
and less danger than excavation along the bank. It
turnedout to be ratherdisappointingas refuseonly
went to a depthof about 31/2feet,and by 4 feetarti-
factshad disappeared.
In undertaking thisexcavationa 10-footblockoffour
5-footsquares was set up by use of a surveyinginstru-
ment. The east edges of the square were set parallel
FIG. 29. Floor plan of the north end of VC-2 at a depth of 5 CHART 6
feet showing four postmolds which extended down from DISTRIBUTION OF CLAY OBJECTS AT THE LEVELS OF VC-2
level 4.
Bird Solid Spherical Hollow Pot- Pierced
Levels Effigy Clay Solid Clay Clay sherd Potsherd Wpirle Clayt
the basis of the small fragments, the metatesseem to Whistle Ball Bead Ball Disc Disc Whorl Spout
be divisibleintotwo generalclasses,thosewithsquared 1 1
edges and those withpointedor upturnededges. The
specimensof the squared edged typeare all made from 2 2 1
volcanic tuff,as was one of the pointed edged type.
3 -1- -1 1 -1
However, some of the pointed edged class are made
fromgranite ( ?). No feet were found,and all the
metates have shallow troughs. The pointed edged
class appear to have been semi-lunarin cross-section. 5- 1 -1- 2 -1
One small fragmentof the squared edged class in- 6 1 2 2
dicates that at least by Aguilar timesthe kind with a
flat troughand a short upslopingback was present. 7 1 2 2 1
However, the majorityseem to be merelyflatslabs.
81 1
Fragmentsof manos also are present. For descrip-
tive purposes,I have dividedtheminto manos oblong 9 1? 2 8 3 1 1
(ovoid manos) in cross-sectionand round in cross-
10 3 8 6
section (cylindrical?). One roughlydiamond shaped
in cross-sectionwas uncoveredfromlevel 17. 11 - 1 3 1
One small abrading stone roughlyrectangularand
12 _1- 1 _ _
diamondshaped in cross-sectionwas foundin level 17.
BONE
14 2 1
No bone artifactswere found in the refusethough
manybone fragmentswere unearthed. 15
16 1? 1 1
SHELL
17 1? 1 3
One small freshwater molluskshell has a perforationl
at its fulcrumand may representa pendant. It has 18 1?1
red painton its innersurface. It was foundin level 9,
19 8
AguilarPeriod.
Shells were foundin everylevel and a representative 20 3 7 1
samplewas keptforidentification.Generallyspeaking,
21 1
salt water molluskswere most popular in the Pavon
Period, but graduallygave way to freshwaterforms 22
in the upperlevels.

CHART 7
DISTRIBUTION OF STONE AND SHELL ARTIFACTS AT THE LEVELS OF VC-2
Manos, Manos, Mns

Projectile Flake Flake End Fln biin Squared- Pointed- Ovoid or Cylindrical- Diamondisbadn,hl
Levels Point Scrapers Scraper Flt ObChips edged edged Oblong in round in Cross Storading Phen
(fragment) (flint) (obsidian) Chips Cips Metates Metates Cross- Cross- Cos tn edn
section section seto
2 1 5
3 3 4
4 3 8
5 2 3 21
6 1 6
7 2 2
8 1 2
9 15 2711
10 7 38 1 1
11 ; ___ __ __ _j2 4
12 2.
13 1 4 1
14 3 6
15 4
16 1 3 1 1 1
17 4 2 1 2
18 1 2 4
19 1 1 1 9 1
20 1 8 7 1
21 1 2 1
22 51
with magneticnorth and south so all square edges offin arbitrary6-inchlayersdown to sterilesoil at a
were parallel to compass coordinates. The stake depthof 4 feet. Soil profileswere thendrawn on the
in the exact centerof the large square was called 0-0, sides of the squares thus far excavated. When the
the stake 5 feetdirectlyeast was called east five (E5), firsttwo 5-footsquares were completedit was possible
thestake5 feetdirectlynorthwas callednorthfive(N5) to observethe soil profilesof two sides of each of the
etc. The stakesin thecornersof thesquare werecalled remainingtwo 5-foot squares (S5 and E5) of the
north five east five (N5E5), south five east five 10-foot block. Therefore,in excavating these two
(S5E5), southfivewest five (S5W5), and northfive squares it was decided to strip offthe natural levels.
west five (N5W5). The squares were giventhe name The firstthreelayers were arbitrary6-inchstripsbut
of the stake in the southeastcorner; thus the square the fourthwentonlyto the top of the undisturbeddark
encompassedby the stakes0-0, E5, S5E5, and S5 was refuse. The next layer was takendown to a depthof
called square S5E5. 21/2feetand the remainingtwo layers were arbitrary
Excavationbegan in two diagonallyoppositesquares 6-inchlevels in the undisturbedrefuse. At a depthof
(0-0 and square S5E5). These squares were stripped 4 feetthe floorof the whole 10-footsquare was cleaned

offin order to observethe post molds or any features tion. Its compactnessand horizontality preclude the
extendingdown fromthe refuse. The fourwalls of the possibilityof its beinga rodenthole.
square were photographedand profilesdrawn. Since Below Zone B and the featureswere 7 feetof sand.
therewas a vague chance thatthis upper refusemight The top footor so of this sand was filledwithcaliche
be separatedfromdeeper refuseby a layer of sterile and relativelyloose in texture,giving the appearance
sandy soil, it was decided to continueexcavation to of havingbeen weatheredand eroded. However,below
a depthof 10 feetin one square (E5). Since no more this top footthe calichegraduallydisappearedand the
artifactswere found between the depths of 4 feet sand became rapidlymorecompact. No artifactswere
and 10 feetin the test square the site was abandoned foundin this stratum. The culturalsterility,the loose
and filled after the photographingand drawing of eroded surface,and the hardnessand compactnessof
profiles. the sand make it very similar to the top portionof
Zone C in the trenchVC-2. Tentativelyit is called
STRATIGRAPHY Zone C and is thoughtto representthepost-occupational
The stratigraphy of VC-1 was relativelysimpleand sectionof that strata. Needless to say, the findingof
correlatedratherwell with part of the nearbyVC-2. this zone was exceedinglydisappointingin the lightof
The top one-footof the excavationwas composed of the originalpurposefordiggingthissite.
waterlaidsands interspersedby a thinlayer of asphalt
(modernhouse floor) and two thin,fairlywell marked CERAMICS
humuslayers. Underlyingthese depositswas a stratum The potterywas washed and cataloguedby two of
of loose brown sand, loam, and refuse. This stratum the workersand my wifewhile the finaltest hole into
was evidentlya redepositionby water action, since thesterilesands was beingcompleted.
the artifactsof a number of differentperiods were Analysis of this potterywas not undertakenuntil
badly water worn and the soil was very sandy. The afterthe completionof the more detailed analysis of
sand stratumand redepositedbrownsand were almost VC-2. The analysisconsistedof classifying thepottery
identicalwithZone A of VC-2 in culturalcontent,order into the typesestablishedby a studyof VC-2 sherds.
of strata,and type of soil, and I believe that theyare No new typesof potterywere found,thoughone sig-
part of the same stratum. Level 1 comprisedZone A. nificantvariantof Aguilar Red was foundthatbecame
UnderlyingZone A was a 1 to 11/2footstratumof the sub-typeAguilar Red, Linear Punctate.
refuse. This stratumis evidentlya layer depositedby The next step in the analysiswas the temporalcor-
occupation of the site by aborigines. Level 2 was relation of the VC-1 materialswith those of VC-2.
composedof the layer fromthe top of this refuseto a This was done by workingout the percentagesof the
depthof 2?/2feet,or froma depthof 2 feetto 21'2 feet. variouspotterytypesat each level and comparingthem
Level 3 is from21/2feetto 3 feet,while level 4 is the withthe percentagesof thosefromthe levels of VC-2.
lower part of this stratumfrom 3 to 3?/2feet and It was assumed thatthose levels havingthe same per-
includes two refusepits and a (wall?) trench. This centages or nearly the same percentagesof pottery
stratumis called Zone B and in part seems to be con- types and sub-typesand ceramic featureswere con-
nectedwithZone B of VC-2. temporaneous. In addition, the percentagesof the
Three featuresextended down from Zone B and differentkinds or patterns of decoration and the
could be seen on the cleaned-offfloorat a depth of 4 various rimformswere workedout. With thesethree
feet. The firstfeaturewas a large pit about 21/2feet sets of percentagesfor each level, as well as with the
in diameterat its top,whichwas underStake S5. The general ceramic changes throughthe three levels at
second was a small pit in the centerof square S5ES, VC-1, it was possible to correlatethe three levels of
about 11/2 feet in diameter. The third feature is VC-1 withlevels2, 3, 4, and 5 of the VC-2 excavation
perhaps more difficult to interpret. It was a shallow
(see fig.11).
trenchabout 3 to 8 inches deep and about 6 inches Next, an attemptwas made to correlateVC-1 and
wide. It ran from1 footwest of Stake S5 in a more levels2-5 of VC-2 withthe earliestlevels (18 and 19)
or less straightline to 1 footwest of Stake 0-0. At of Ekholm'sexcavationsat the Pavon site.83 Percentile
this point it was less distinctbut appeared to curve comparisonsof typeswere not too satisfactory, as the
eastwardand strikethe east wall about 6 inchessouth small amountof sherds (other than Heavy Plain) at
of Stake N5E5. It was similarin appearanceto wall the Pavon site did not justifyEkholm's classifyinghis
trenchesone findsin Middle Mississippivillagesin the potteryintoas finedivisionsas I had done on thebasis
southeasternUnited States. However, excavation of of the abundantsherds at VC-2. Therefore,I shall
the trenchrevealedno post molds or excessiveamount only brieflycompare the types but shall emphasize
of charcoal in the trench. Therefore,whetherthis thecomparisonof theceramicfeaturesof thetypes.
representsa wall trenchof an apsidal house or merelya The dominanttypein levels 18 and 19 of the Pavon
small trenchfor drainage or for some other purpose
cannotbe statedon the evidencefoundin this excava- 83 Ekholm,1944: 342-344,
fig.4.

0
k) ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ )U
.41 .4 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~ 0
4*3
.
Ur 41
0 0 0~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4-.-
U) Sd
14 - cn C '4
tov
.......... ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . 0
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'.
" ''. :... .. . . .
w
ii4iiC) C.
.@ Nt 0 0 k0 0
C)d
UX
oU~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
r S
<
C0 0 O tJ
~~
~~~~
. . ..~ .. .*... 02
cC
'.44 w '., 0,
N4 '- 0
4-
4-2
g~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
QbO > tJ
m - _\ w
W ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~0 k
'

temperedvariety,i.e., Chila White. Actually,some

of the finertemperedvariety (Progreso White) was
found. White ware decorationsat all three sites are
predominantlylinear punches. However, a combed
decoratedsherd was found in level 19 at the Pavon
site (30.2-7626a cat. no. of Am. Mus. of Nat. Hist.),
and combeddecoratedsherdsappear in level 3 of VC-2.
Perhaps theyalso appear at VC-1 in Chila White,but
I found no sherds large enough to display this tech,-
nique clearly,if present. A few incised sherds ap-
peared at each of the threesites. Vessel shapes at all
three sites are very similar, with the predominant
vessel formsbeingoutflaring-sided compositesilhouette
bowls,and verticalincurved-sided thickenedlip bowls.
FIG. 31. South-wall of square VC-1 showingpit 1 and on the
Short solid conical, long solid conical, and effigy
floorthenarrowtrenchand pit2. One-footlevelsmarked animal feet appear at each site in these levels under
by whites rin- consideration.
All otherpotterytypes are minoritywares. Finer
plainwareis at all threesites. Aguilar Red is at levels
2-4 of VC-1 and levels 2-5 of VC-2, and I believethat
someofthered ware of levels 18 and 19 at thePavon site
are of this type. However, the sub-typeAguilar Red,
Linear Punch does not seem to be presentat the latter
site. Ponce Black is a minorityware at VC-1 and
levels2-5 of VC-2. The two sherdsof dull black ware
FIG. 32. North wall of square VC-1. One-foot levels marked

by whitestring.
site, levels 2-3 of VC-2 and levels 2-4 of VC-1 is

Heavy Plain. The surfaceof Heavy Plain fromthe
levels of the three sites mentionedabove is usually
plain, thoughsome specimenshave been scratchedor
scoured,while a few bear the remnantsof a red wash.
Rim sherdsappearto be almostidentical,withthickened
lipped,outfiaring rimsbeingdominantat all threesites
(see fig. 17, no. 53, 54, 63, 64). There is a general FIG. 33. East wall of VC-1. One-footlevels markedby
whitestring.
tendencyfor the neck to be at an angle to the body,
though some necks slope graduallyinto the body at
all three sites. Applique'd ridges appear at VC-2
onlyin levels2-5,one ridgeappears in level 3 at VC-1,
and one appears in level 18 at the Pavon site. Loop
and strap handlesoccur in the levels of the threesites
under consideration. One fragmentof a double loop
was foundin level 5 at VC-2, while these do not ap-
pear untillevel 15 at the Pavon site.
The second most commonware at all threesites is
whiteware (Chila White and Progreso White types).
At the Pavon site the whiteware was not dividedinto
two types, since the stratigraphydid not justifyit, FIG. 34. Westwall of VC-1. One-foot
levelsmarked
by
and all of it was consideredby Ekholmto be the heavy whitestring.

fromlevels 18 and 19 of the Pavon site are, I believe, Generallyspeaking,theproportion of ProgresoWhite

Ponce Black. The vessel shape (fig. 17, no. 16) cer- at all levels of VC-1 fitsthe proportionof Progreso
tainly seems similar to that of the late Black ware. White at VC-2 in levels4 and 5.
Of the late VC-1 and VC-2 types,only Aguilar Gray
is absent at the Pavon site. Panuco Gray and El Ponce Black
Prisco Black, absent from VC-1 and VC-2 in the Paste, surfacefinishand decorationare about the
undisturbedlevels, were present in level 18 of the same as at VC-2. Vessel shapes are slightlydifferent
Pavon site. in that while two sherds of outslopingstraight-sided
Generallyspeaking,fromthegeneraltrendsofpottery bowls appear at each site, the incurvedbowls present
types at VC-1 and VC-2, and from the absence of at VC-2 are absent at VC-1. However, again the
Aguilar Gray at the Pavon site, and the lack of El sample fromboth sites is small. The percentagesof
Prisco Black and Panuco Grayat VC-1 and VC-2 (and black ware sherdsby level at VC-1 are betweenthose
level 19 of the Pavon site), I feel inclinedto say that fromlevels3 and 4 at VC-2. In bothsites Ponce Black
all levels,exceptlevels2, of VC-1 and VC-2 are earlier ware.
of the Chila Period is a minority
than those at the Pavon site. However, levels 2 of
VC-1 and VC-2 and level 19 of the Pavon site seem AguilarRed
to be of the same timeperiod. Thus muchof the mate-
Paste and surfacefinishare about the same as previ-
rials I have classifiedas Chila Period would best be
ouslydescribed. However,decoratedsherdsof Aguilar
called early Chila Period, while levels 2 of VC-1 and
Red are muchmore numerousat VC- 1 than at VC-2.
VC-2 and levels 18 and 19 of the Pavon site would Thirty sherds with parallel linear punches sub-type
be late Chila Period. Linear Punch were at VC- 1 while only four were at
VC-2. A fewsherdswithcross-hatching in conjunction
CHILA PERIOD withparallellines were foundat bothsites. However,
As stated previously,all the potteryfromthe three at VC-1 eleven sherds with parallel incisions were
lowerlevelsat VC-1 belongsto the Chila Period. The found while none were found in the Chila Period
numberof sherdsfoundare not numerous,being 1,086 levelsat VC-2.
only. Many of these sherds are badly worn and The same three vessel formswere found at VC-1
leached. There were 169 so badlydisfigured as to defy and VC-2. However,at VC-1 outslopingstraight-sided
classification. bowls were dominantover flaring-sided and incurved
rim bowls, while at VC-2 flaring-sidedbowls were
dominant.
ProgresoMetallic
Only one smallbodysherdwas discoveredin level 4. Chila White
In all its featuresit is identicalto those fromVC-2, The paste and surfacefinishof thistypeat VC-1 are
previouslydescribed. the same as at VC-2. The dominantdecorationis com-
posed of parallellinesof linearpunches. A fewsherds
Progreso White have linearpunchesin conjunctionwithwavy bands of
incisedparallel lines. Less commonare incisedcross-
The paste and surfacefinishare the same as previ-
hatchedlines,curvedparallel lines (perhaps combed),
ously described. and incised straightparallel lines. Vessel shapes are
The decorationis about the same as at VC-2 in the predominantlyoutsloping straight-sidedand flaring-
Chila Period. There are, however,some minordiffer- sided convex bottomedbowls. Appearing less fre-
ences. These are perhaps due to the meagernessof quentlyare incurvedrimbowlsand verticalsided bowls
the sampleat VC-1. The decorativemotifscomposing witha thickenedlip. Vessel feetare fairlynumerous,
the sub-typesHub and Spoke and Opposed Area, with shortsolid conical and long solid conical appear-
presentin small amountsin the Chila Period levels at ing in equal amounts. One hollowfootwitha foot-like
VC-2, are entirelyabsent at VC-1. However, the projectionwith the toes markedby incised lines was
distinctivedesignsof the Chila Period at VC-2, present found. This conceivablycould be a leg froma seated
on the sub-typesIncised Curvilinearand Linear Punc- figurine, but I ratherbelieveit is a tripodsupportof a
tate,are also presentat VC-1. bowl.
Vessel shapes at VC-1 are about the same as those Generallyspeaking,the Chila White complex and
in the Chila Period levels at VC-2. Outsloping, all its featuresare the same as foundat VC-2 and in
straight-sided bowls are dominantover outflaringrim levels 18 and 19 in Ekholm'sexcavationsof the Pavon
bowls, while vertical incurved-sidedbowls and in- site at Panuco. As I have mentionedbefore,some
curvedrimbowlsoccur. of the sherdsI have includedin the Chila White type
Vessel feetare aboutthe same. have a thinwash, whichis veryrare in Ekholm'sChila

CHART 8
FREQUENCIES OF POTTERY TYPES AT THE VARIOUS LEVELS OF VC-1 EXPRESSED IN PERCENTAGES
0 0
Levels e e 4 -
0 ~~~~~~ 0 DA
0 ) --
z~~~~
1 1 6 2 1 2 4 32 48 40 125 213
2 .32 .05 .11 .08 .00 .02 .33 .06 .02

52 7 18 13 1 3 55 11 3 163 204 71 438
3 .36 .04 .07 .07 .01 .27 .03 .13

62 6 12 14 2 46 5 23 170 174 66 410
4 .01 .42 .04 .18 .04 .01 .02 .31 .01 .03
1 44 4 19 5 1 2 33 2 4 115 91 32 238
Grand Total 1,299
materials. This may be due in part to the fact that AberrantSherds

many of my sherds fromboth VC-1 and VC-2 have
been wornand look slightlyeroded. One aberrantsherd is extremelythin with a white
slip. It has a single verticalstrip that has been cut
throughthepasteand smallpunctatesinsidea rectangu-
AguilarGray
lar line (see fig.15, no. 6).
The paste and surface have been previouslyde- Anotheraberrantsherd (which I unfortunately did
scribed. Sherds of Aguilar Gray were less numerous not take out of Mexico to be photographed)has a
in the Chila Period of VC-1 than at VC-2. No Chila White paste, a plain surfaceand is decorated
decoratedsherdswere foundand onlytwo rim sherds. by a wide, brokenincisedline witha dot in the broken
One rim sherd is froma cylindricalnecked olla with area. The decorationis on a thickenedlip whichhas
an evertedlip, while the otheris froma hemispherical an externalhorizontalprotrusion.Except forthepaste,
bowl witha flattenedlip. thissherdfromlevel 2 is verysimilarto some fromthe
Tancol complex.84 In fig.36, no. 1, thereis a drawing
Finer Plainware of thissherd.
Same as previouslydescribed. Only one rim sherd
Level 1
was foundand it is the flattenedlip of a hemispherical
bowl. The exterioredge of the lip appears to have Most of the sherds from level 1 come from the
had a series of pointsor horizontalextensionsjutting lowest part of Zone A in the redepositeddark sands.
out fromit. A large numberof the sherdswere too badlyerodedto
identifyas to type. Other sherds include 32 glazed
Heavy Plain sherds,four Huastec Black on White, two Brown on
The paste has been previouslydescribed. As in Buff,one Zaquil Red, two El Prisco Black, six Chila
Chila Period levels at VC-2, the plain variety,often White, one Aguilar Red, and about 40 Heavy Plain
bearingstriations,outnumbersthose havinga red slip sherds.
or wash. Decorationis almost entirelyabsent. Most
of the rim sherds are fromollas, the verticalnecked OBJECTS OF CLAY
variety or neck-at-angle-to-body group (53 and 64) FIGURINES
being more popular than the flaringnecked variety.
One fragmentof a plate and one fragmentof an in- No figurineheads were foundin excavation,but six
curved rim bowl were uncovered. One fragmentof body fragmentswere uncovered. Four of these are
a loop handlewas foundin level 3, whileone fragment arm fragments, two beingfoundin level 2, and two in
of a straphandlewas uncoveredin level 2. One sherd level 3. One of theothersis a bootedfootfromlevel 3.
(level 3) has a smallappliquedridgeon it. 84 Ekholm,1944:
fig. 28.

The finalfragmentfromlevel 4 is a body with legs. CHART 9

The chest is broad with low breasts,the waist is very VESSEL FORM, DECORATION, AND APPENDAGES FROM THE
narrow,the hips flaringand legs astride with knees LEVELS OF VC-1
slightlybent. The feet are representedby a slight
bend near the extremitiesof the taperingpointedlegs. Level 1 2 3 4
PROGRESO WHITE
SMALL EFFIGY VESSELS DECORATION
Decorative technique
In level 4 one small part of an effigyvessel was Linear punctate 3 2 2
found. It appears to have the paste of fineplainware. Linear punctate and incising 1 1
Parts of nose and mouthare present,bothbeing made Incising 2 4 4
Design
by appliques of clay. The nose has a ratherhooked sub-type Linear Punch
appearance. Parallel lines of linear punctates 3 2 2
sub-type Curvilinear
CLAY BALLS, BEADS, AND DISCS
Incised wavy bands with linear
punctates 1
Fragmentsof threesolid clay balls were uncovered, Incised wavy bands 1
undifferentiated as to sub-type
one each fromlevels 2, 3, and 4. One solid, spherical, Incised crosshatching 2 4 4
pierced clay bead was found in level 3. All appear
to have been coveredby whitepaint. VESSEL SHAPE
Four fragments of piercedpotsherddiscs were found, Outsloping straight-sidedbowls
Rim profile1 of figure17 2
two occurringin level 2 and two in level 3. Rim profile2 of figure17 3 1
Rim profile3 of figure17 2 4 1
STONE, BONE, AND SHELL Flaring sided bowls
No chipped stone artifactswere uncovered,though Rim profile8 of figure17 1 1
flintand obsidianchipsoccurredat all levels. Rim profile9 of figure17 1 1
In ground stone, only two fragmentsof squared- Vertical sided bowls
edged metates of volcanic tuffwere collected from Rim profile26 of figure17 1
level3. Incurved rim bowls
Fragmentsof bone and shell occurredin all levels Rim profile15 of figure17 1 1
but no artifactsof eithermaterialoccurred. Rim profile17 of figure17 2
Small ollas
Rim profile46 of figure17 1 2
OTHER FEATURES Rim profile60 of figure17 2 2
Also uncoveredwere two circularpits and a long APPENDAGES-vessel feet
narrow trench. These have been discussed in the Conical solid and short 1 1
section entitledArchitectualFeatures in the chapter Conical solid and long 1 1 2
on VC-2. Fig. 28 illustratesthem.
Decorated 6 6 7
Undecorated 52 58 40
IV. CONCLUSIONS Totals 58 64 47
SUMMARY OF THE PRE-CLASSIC PERIODS PROGRESO METALLIC 1
In the followingsection I shall present a brief PONCE BLACK

summaryof the fourperiods I found,and a summary DECORATION
of the previouslydescribed El Prisco Period.85 It Decorative technique
Incising 1 1
should already be apparentthat thereis culturalcon- Design
tinuitythrough my four periods, and Ekholm has Crosshatching 1 1
already stated that he believes El Prisco to have de-
veloped fromChila remains.86Furthermore, the new VESSEL SHAPE
data on the Chila Period indicatea strongerlinkage Outsloping straight-sidedbowls
Rim profile6 of figure17 1 1
betweenthe two than had previouslybeen discerned.
Future work on Chila Period remainsmay make this Decorated 1 1
nexus even stronger. Undecorated 6 5 4
85 Ekholm, 1944. Totals 7 6 4
86 Ibid.

VOL. 44, PT. 5, 1954] CONCLUSIONS 611
CHART 9-Continued CHART 9-Continued
Level 1 2 3 4 Level 1 2 3 4
AGUILAR RED VESSEL SHAPE

DECORATION Outsloping straight-sided bowls
Decorative technique Rim profile1 of figure17 2
Linear punctate 3 23 4 Rim profile2 of figure17 3 1
Incising 2 9 4 Rim profile3 of figure17 2 4 1
Design Flaring sided bowls
sub-type Linear Punch Rim profile7 of figure17 1
Parallel lines of linear punctates 3 23 4 Rim profile8 of figure17 2 2
undifferentiated Rim profile9 of figure17 2 1 2
Incised parallel lines 2 7 2 Vertical sided bowls
Incised crosshatchedlines separated Rim profile12 of figure17 1 2 1
by parallel lines 2 2 Rim profile27 of figure17 1
Incurved rim bowls
VESSEL SHAPE Rim profile15 of figure17 1
Outsloping straight-sidedbowls Rim profile17 of figure17 1
Rim profile1 of figure17 8 6 6
Rim profile2 of figure17 1 1 APPENDAGES-vessel feet
Rim profile4 of figure17 1 1 1. Conical solid and short 3 1
Flaring sided bowls 2. Conical solid and long 2 1 1
Rim profile9 of figure17 1 1 3. Hollow effigy 1
Incurved rim bowl
Rim profile15 of figure17 1 1 1 Decorated 11 5 4
Undecorated 6 44 41 29
APPENDAGES-vessel foot-short solid and
conical 1 Totals 6 55 46 33
Decorated 5 32 8 HEAVY PLAIN

Undecorated 1 16 13 15 SURFACE FINISH-Red slip or wash variety 51 31 17
VESSEL SHAPE of red surfaced variety
Totals 1 21 45 23 Plate. Rim profile 32 of figure 17 1
Ollas
AGUILAR GRAY Rim profile53 of figure17 3 1 1
VESSEL SHAPE Rim profile57 of figure17 2
Olla Rim profile58 of figure17 1
Rim profile53 of figure17 2 Rim profile61 of figure17 1 1
Rim profile42 of figure17 1 Rim profile64 of figure17 1
SURFACE FINISH-Plain variety 153 143 74
Total 13 14 5 VESSEL SHAPE of plain surface variety
(undecorated) Bowls-Rim profile 15 of figure 17 1
Ollas
FINER PLAINWARE Rim profile 53 of figure 17 2 1
Rim profile40 of figure17 1 Rim profile 55 of figure 17 5 1
Rim profile 58 of figure 17 1
Total 11 5 2 Rim profile 63 of figure 17 1
(undecorated) Rim profile 64 of figure 17 2 2 2
CHILA WHITE Totals 41 204 174 91

DECORATION
Decorative technique EL PRISCO BLACK 2
Linear punctate 7 4 3 ZAQUIL RED 1
Linear punctate and incising 2 TANCOL BROWN-ON-BUFF 2
Incising 2 1 1 HUASTECA BLACK-ON-WHITE 4
Design SPANISH GLAZE 32
Parallel lines of linear punctates 7 4 3 ABERRANT OR UNIDENTIFIED 125 71 66 32
Incised wavy bands with linear
punctates 2 GRAND TOTAL OF SHERDS 213 439 408 238
Incised crosshatching 1
Curved parallel lines 1
Straight parallel lines 1 1
reflectnot only developmentswithinthe area but also
influencesfromother areas. At present,each of the
Pre-Classic periods in the Huasteca is representedby
only limitedexcavationsat one to threesites. There-
are tentative,
However, in spite of the continuityof periods,each fore,this sequence and its characteristics
one has distinctiveceramic,figurine,and artifactcom- subject to confirmationor correctionby future in-
plexes. These distinctivecharacteristicsappear to vestigationsin the region.

PAVON PERIOD it is significantthat obsidian chips are absent while

numerousflintchipsoccur.
Materialsof this periodhave been foundonly in the The fragmentof one ovoid pebblemano and part of
lower levels 21 and 22, Zone C of VC-2. Our present a metateindicatethat some food was ground and it
knowledgeoftheperiodis verylimited,only690 sherds mightbe inferredthat corn agricultureexisted. The
and a fewotherartifacts beingfound. Futureinvestiga- dominanceof oystershells and marinemollusksover
tionsshouldconcentrate on thishorizon. freshwater typesindicatesanotherstaple of the diet of
Ceramicallytheperiodis represented by fourpottery the Pavon Period and it may be inferredthat either
types and one sub-type: Progreso Metallic, Heavy the Rio Panuco was saltierthan at presentor thatthe
Buff,Heavy Plain, Progreso White,and the sub-type Pavon peoples oftenwent 50 miles to the Gulf for
of ProgresoWhite,CylindricalPunctate. Monochrome food. A few animal bones show some dependenceon
paintingof vessels, when it occurs, is usually with a hunting.
whitechalkywash, thougha few sherdsof the Heavy The thinlayersof refuseat VC-2 certainlyseem to
Plain typehave a red wash on them. Very few sherds indicatethat at least at VC-2 the populationwas pos-
are decorated. The fewdecoratedsherdshave designs sibly small and did not occupy this area all the time.
made by lines of overlappingcylindricalpunctates. Fragmentsof wattleand daub in floors5, 6, and 7 tell
Two sherds in the uppermostportionof the Pavon us somethingof the type of constructionof their
Period depositshave parallelincisedlines on thembut dwellings.
these are certainlynot characteristicof the period and
may well be intrusive. Vessel formsare limitedto PONCE PERIOD
three general shapes which may be divided into five
more specificclasses. Ollas witha small mouth,short The artifactsof this period were discoveredin the
outflaring necks at a rightor acute angle to an almost lower half of Zone B, levels 14-20, only at VC-2.
horizontalshoulder,a globularbodyor an invertedpear Materials are fairlyabundant. The continuity of vari-
shaped (amphora?) body and withsmall flatbases are ous artifacttypes indicatesthat this period developed
the dominantvessel form. The second most common from the Pavon Period, while the radical shiftsin
shape consistsof ollas with outcurvedrims and necks percentagesof continuoustypes and the introduction
thatblendintoglobularbodies withflatbottoms. This of new types,as well as the geology,suggesta slight
more general formmay be divided into two classes: temporalgap betweenthe two. Some of the ceramic
those having pointed or contractinglips and those change may have been due to outside influences. In
having thickenedrounded lips. Flat bottomedbowls termsof developments, the Ponce Period sees the addi-
with outslopingsides are the least common of the tion of many new artifacttypes and conceptsto the
general types. There are two specificformsof the relativelysimpleartifactcomplexof the Pavon Period.
flat bottomedbowls: those with straightoutsloping In pottery,the Ponce Black type and the sub-type
sides and those with outflaringor outcurvedsides. Incised Hub and Spoke of ProgresoWhiteare themost
Three rim sherds were foundin level 21 which have prominent of the new additions. Percentagesof other
vessel formsthat are not consideredcharacteristicof types shift radically,with Progreso Metallic and the
theperiodand whichmightpossiblybe intrusive. Two sub-type of Progreso White, Cylindrical Punctate,
diminishing noticeably,whileProgresoWhite increases.
of the sherdsare froman incurvedrimbowl while the
In surfacefinishthereare not only the red and white
othersherdis froma flaringsided bowl witha slightly
monochromes, but black monochromes.In decoration,
convexbottom(compositesilhouettebowl). Generally
incisingon interiorbottomsof bowls comesin as a new
speaking,the periodis characterizedby a limitednum-
decorativetechnique. The commonestincised designs
ber of unsophisticatedvessel forms,the absenceor near consist of: hub-spokemotifsfilled with parallel or
absence of decoration,limitedkinds of monochrome
cross-hatchedlines; checker board designs with the
surface finish,absence of vessel appendages (spouts, diagonallyoppositesquares filledwithparallelor cross-
handles, feet, etc.) and -a very limited number of hatchedlines; areas filledwithonlyparallel lines; and
potterytypes. Thus Pavon Period potteryis primitive areas filledwith only cross-hatching.Rarely appear-
and simplein all butmanufacturing technique(Progreso ing are motifsof: alternate areas, each one being
White and Progreso Metallic having well firedfairly filledwith parallel lines in opposite directions;areas
compactpaste). filledwithcross-hatching separatedby bands of incised
Figurinetypesfor the period are unknown. How- parallel lines; and alternateareas, one filled in by
ever,one head fragment fromlevel 21 atteststhatthey cross-hatching and the otherby parallel.lines. Vessel
existed at that time,thoughtheywould be very rare. forms show even greater changes. The pointed-lip
Other clay objects are equally scarce,one fragmentof and thickened-lip outflaring-neckedglobular-bodied ollas
a hollowclay ball beinguncoveredin level 21. continuewith about the same amount of popularity,
Chippedstoneartifactsare rare,onlyone small frag- whiletheflat-bottomed bowlswithoutflaring or straight
mentofa flakeend scraperhavingbeenfound. I believe outslopingsides diminishslightlyin popularity. The

VOL. 44, PT. 5, 19541 CONCLUSIONS 613
typicalvessel shape of the Pavon Period, flat-bottomed withoutfeetor even a well definedtrough) of volcanic
ollas withinvertedpear- or globular-shapedbodies and rock were encounteredas well as the rimfragments of
flaringnecksat an acute or rightangle to the shoulder, granitemetateswith pointed,upcurvedlip. In cross-
almostdisappears. Ten new vessel formsappear along section,this later typeis semi-lunarand it appears to
withthese older ones. The most popular of these (in be withoutfeet. Manos were not numerous; there
theordermentioned)are: straight-rim outsloping-sided appear to be threetypes. One type,represented by one
bowls with convex bottoms,hemisphericalbowls, flar- specimen,is oblong in shape and rectangularin cross-
ing-sided convex-bottomedbowls, and incurved-rim section,a second specimenis rectangularin shape and
bowls. Appearingin minoramountsare convex-bot- diamondshape in cross-sectionwhile a thirdtype ap-
tomedrecurved-rim bowls,simpleplates or dishes,in- pears to be long and cylindrical(three of this kind
curved vertical-sidedconvex-bottomedbowls, thick- were uncovered). These objects suggestconsiderable
walled cylindricaljars, incurved-walledvertical-sided dependenceon corn agricultureand/orseed gathering.
jars and small-mouthedthickened-rimollas. Small Beside evidenceof agriculture,the numerousshells
effigybowls with modelled and incised featuresalso in the middenattestto some dependenceon shell-fish
occur. Appendages appear to be absent,thoughone as a foodstuff.The majorityof the shells are fresh-
poorlyfiredcylindricalobject mightbe part of a vessel water clams. Animal bones in the refusegive some
spout, and one clay object which I have classifiedas evidence of hunting. One femurappears to be that
an arm of a figurinemightvaguelybe construedto be of a small dog and it may be inferredthatthe domesti-
a loop handle. cateddog was knownat least thisearly.
As markedas the additionsin potterytypes is the
influxof figurines. Generallyspeaking,the figurine AGUILAR PERIOD
heads of this period are large (11/2 to 3 inches in Materialsof thisstagewerefoundin levels6 through
height); eyes are ellipticalor diamond-shapedimpres- 13 at VC-2. Artifactswere abundantand at least two
sions with large centrallylocated round punctatesfor well-definedhouse floors were exposed and others
eyeballs; mouthsare half opened; lips are crescentic could be seen at roughlythe same levels in the banks
appliques of clay; and noses are roughlytriangular. adjacent to the excavation. Furthermore,Roberto
However, in spite of the factthat each head has some Pavon found Aguilar figurinetypes in various deep
unique features,as well as the general similarities excavationsin the centralpart of the presentvillage of
mentionedabove, they have been classifiedinto five Panuco. A studyof the bank hintsat the possibility
types called: prognathicelliptical-eyedtype, realistic that these other depositsare connectedwith those of
projectingeyeballtype,puffedcheek types,plain cres- VC-2 and thatat the timeof the Aguilar
Period there
centiccap type,and scalloped-edgedcap type. In my was a villageat Panuco at least one mile long.
opinionthese heads are less stylizedand more realistic The Aguilar Period sees the addition of two new
than those of later periods. Body fragmentsshow potterytypes,Aguilar Red and Aguilar Gray, as well
figuresto be wasp-waisted,low breasted,flaringhipped, as the introduction of the sub-typesof ProgresoWhite,
and withpointedfeet. Most figuresare standingwith Opposed Areas and Incised Curvilinear. Progreso
feet slightlyapart; a few may be seated with legs Metallicand the sub-typeof Progreso
White,Cylindri-
spread. One aberrantfigurineappears to have three cal Punctatedisappearin thisperiodwhilethe sub-type
legs. of ProgresoWhite,Incised Hub and Spoke is definitely
Otherclay objects includesolid clay balls and hollow on the wane. Heavy Plain, Heavy Buff,Ponce Black,
clay balls. Some of the piercedhollow clay balls may and Progreso White continueinto this period in about
be earballs or beads. The solid clay balls may have the same proportionas in the previous period. In
been gamingobjects or pelletsfor weapons (slings or regard to surface finish,red and gray washes have
blow guns). One of the figurineshas a nose plug and been added to thecomplex.
all have ear plugs; therefore,
I believethateitherwood, Four aberrantsherds have bichromepainting,one
stone, or clay nose and earplugs may be considered being a whiteon red sherd,one a red on whitesherd,
traits of this period and might be found in future while the othertwo have black lines on a whitishgray
excavations. One small fragmentof what mightbe a background. On a number of sherds of one pot,
potsherddisc was also found. obvious aberrant,there is a black slip cut by wide
Stone artifactsare rare. Two flintflakeside scrapers engravedlines filledwithred paint.
and a flake end scraper were present. The central However, most of the decorationof this period is
portion of the blade of a projectile point was also made by combingwith a three-to six-toothedobject
found. In termsof materialused, obsidian flakesare and by incising. Distinctiveof theperiodare fivekinds
about twice as numerous as are flint chips. The of motifs,three of which appeared sparinglyin the
obsidian is entirelyof the black, almost opaque, type. previous period, plus two new ones. They are (in
Groundstoneartifactsare not numerous. Two frag- the ordermentioned):designswithone area filledwith
ments of squared-edgedthick flat metates (evidently parallel lines adjacent to an area filledwith parallel

lines runningin the opposite direction;designs with Otherclay objects assignableto this periodare solid
one area filledwithcross-hatching adjacent to an area clay balls, sphericalclay beads, hollow clay balls, pot-
filledwith parallel lines; and areas of cross-hatching sherddiscspiercedand unpierced,partsof effigy rattles,
separatedby a band of fromthreeto nine parallellines. possiblypart of an effigywhistleand parts of multi-
New ones includeundulatingbands composedof four pierced balls or bowls. Small effigybowls are still
to six parallelincisedlines near areas filledwithcross- found.
hatchingor parallel lines, and only undulatingbands One clay modelof a house,and wattleand daub,plus
composedof fourto six parallelincisedlines. Hub and the semi-circularline of posts molds in the northend
spoke designsstillappear but are on the wane and die of trenchVC-2, indicate that houses had an apsidal
out in the last stages of the period. In vessel shape groundplan, wattleand daub walls, a peaked thatched
there are three significantadditions: flaring-sided roofwithan outsideridgepole and a singledoor on one
convex-bottomedbowls with tripod feet, outsloping of thelongersides.
straight-sided convex-bottomed bowls with tripodfeet, Only one chippedstoneobject was found,a chipped
and recurved-sided convex-bottomed bowls withtripod flakescraper of flint. MVanyflakeswere found,with
feet. The shortsolid conicalfeet (nubbins) appear be- obsidianchips out-numbering flintchips about fourto
forelongsolidconicalfeet. Many oldershapescontinue one. Groundstone objects includedfourfragments of
butin verydifferent proportions, as silhouettebowlsare squared-edgedmetatesand one fragmentof a metate
now the dominanttype (i.e., outslopingstraight-sided whichwas semi-lunarin cross-section. None of them
bowls withconvex bottomsand outflaring-sided bowls appearedto have feetor deep troughs. One smallfrag-
with convex bottoms). Other older vessel formsare ment of what was evidentlya squared-edgedtype of
(in order of frequency): recurvedrim bowls, hemi- metateshowed that the metate'sgrindingsurfacewas
sphericalbowls, ollas with outflaringnecks and with flatbut the back sectionof the metateslantedupward
either pointed or thickenedlips, incurved-rimbowls, at an oblique angle. Fragments of oblong manos,
simpleplatesor dishes,flat-bottomed bowls,cylindrical rectangularin cross-section,of cylindricalmanos,and
jars, incurved-sidedbowls, bowls with an incipient of rectangularmanos,diamondshaped in cross-section,
basal flangeand flaring-mouthed ollas withpear-shaped occur. One fragmentof a small whetstonealso was
bodies and flat bottoms. On some of the ollas are discovered.
definiteloop handles. Freshwaterclam shells far outnumberedsaltwater
One fragmentof potterywith a fabric impression varieties,and animals and human bones occurredin
gives evidenceof weavingbeingknownat thistime. therefuse.
Figurines of this period show considerablechanges
fromthoseof the previousperiod. For thisperiod,we CHILA PERIOD
have, beside the figurinesfound at VC-2, those from
the Pavon collection. Generally speaking, figurine (EKHOLM'S PERIOD I)
heads are small (less than 11/2 inchestall) ; facial fea-
Three siteshave been excavatedbearingChila Period
turesare well modelled; manyof the heads are flatter
remains-levels2-5 of VC-2, levels2, 3 and 4 of VC-1
at the back; the eyes, thoughmany are still similar
and levels 18 and 19 of the Pavon site.87 It is possible
to thoseof the previousperiod,are oftenmade so that that all three of these sites were connectedand are
the three componentpunctatedparts are separate or
merelyportionsof a city or ceremonialcenterabout
very poorly connected; and, finally,the portrayalof
11/2mileslong. Beside the threeexcavatedsites,about
the facial featuresmakes these heads appear more
eight more sites of roughlythe same period exist in
uniform. This generaltendencyfor figurineheads to
the generalarea northof Panuco. However, in spite
become more uniformthroughoutarchaic times seems
of this,the period is not well representedand is but
to carry throughnot only at Panuco but also in the
poorlydefined.
Valley of Mexico and Tres Zapotes. In regard to
Two new potterytypescharacterizethe Chila Period,
types,the scalloped-edgedcap typecarrieson fromthe
Chila White and Finer Plainware,as do two new sub-
Ponce Period, thoughgenerallyspeakingthe Aguilar
types, Linear Punctate of Aguilar Red and Linear
Period heads of this typeare smaller. I have guessed
Punctate of Progreso White. Heavy Buff,Progreso
on the basis of the Pavon collectionthat the plain
White, Ponce Black, and Aguilar Gray seem to be on
crescenticcap typealso carriesover fromthe previous
the wane, while Heavy Plain seems to be increasing.
period. The pseudo baby-faceand the coarse flat
True slips on potteryoccur forthe firsttime,being on
rectangular-eyed types are more or less diagnosticof
Finer Plainwareand Chila White. Monochromewares
the period while the hairknottednegroid,crew cut,
ofgray,black,red,and whitestillare present. One red
and coarsepaste typesof thePavon collectionhave been
on whitesherdwas foundat VC-1, whileEkholmfound
tentatively assignedto thisperiod. Bodies of figurines
two sherdsof red on brownin level 19 of the Pavon
changesomewhatin thatboot-likefeetand ends of the
site. Decorationis mainlyby linearpunching,though
legs bent to imitatefeet appear in this period. Also,
bodyfragments are generallysmaller. 87 Ekholm, 1944, called Period I.

VOL. 44, PT. 5, 1954 CONCLUSIONS 615
incisingand combingstillare present. The commonest section,and part of one cylindricalmano were found
designs are straightparallel lines of linear punches. at VC-1.
Cross-hatching on the entirebottomof bowl, and par- Architectural featuresare not well known,unless the
allel lines of one area at an angle to parallellines of an curvedtrenchat VC-1 is consideredto be a wall trench
adjacent area are still fairly common. Undulating of an ellipticalhouse. The fourposts extendingdown
bands of threeto six parallelincisedlines,eitheralone fromlevel 4 at VC-2 that forma semi-circleand the
or with linear punches,occur, as do parallel lines of piece of wattleand daub hintat houses like those de-
combedor incisedlines. On theexteriorsides ofbowls, scribedfor the Aguilar Period.
combedor incisedlines at an angle (acute or oblique) Numerous mounds at the Chila site and a large
to the lip occur,or theremay be a single incised line mound just south of the highwayhalf-waybetween
parallelto the lip. A few of the thickened-lip variety Panuco and El Ebano give us informationon cere-
have a single line on the lip encirclingthe top of the monial structures. At Chila there were a numberof
vessel. One sherddecoratedwithzoned punctatesoc- moundscut by a road excavation. There it was pos-
curred at VC-1. In vessel formswe see a series of sible to see a seriesof super-imposed burnedclay floors
innovations. Ollas withthickenedlips, a verticalneck and evidenceof extensivemoundbuilding. All struc-
at an oblique angle to the globularbody whichsets on turesthatI have seen associatedwithChila potteryap-
a flator slightlyannular base are common. Convex- pear to be truncatedcones. None of them are faced
bottomedbowls with incurved,vertical sides and a with stone,nor are steps or ramps apparent. As far
thickenedlips are common. These are usuallywithout as could be determinedfroma hurriedsearch through
feet,but a few have tripodfeet. Hemisphericalplates dense bush,theydo not appear to be surroundingany
or dishes, outflaringbowls with basal flanges,and sort of plaza, and the one large mound between El
incurved-rim bowls whose sides are at an acute angle Ebano and Panuco appears to be a singlemound.
to their convex bases also begin to appear. Older Shells, mostly freshwater,fish bones, and animal
forms,such as silhouettebowls (outslopingstraight- bones were found associated with Chila deposits,but
sided bowls withconvex bottoms,and outflaring-sidedare much less numerousthan in the previousperiod.
bowlswithconvexbottoms),are stillverypopular. Sil-
houettebowlswithtripodfeetseemto be on theincrease. EL PRISCO
Incurvedrimbowls,hemispherical bowls,simpledishes,
recurved-rim bowls,and ollas withthickenedor pointed (EKHOLM'S PERIOD II)
lips occur as minoritytypes. Vessel feetshow consid- I have taken the libertyof summarizingthis period
erablevariety,withlong solid conicalones being domi- describedby Gordon Ekholm in his 1944 reportas I
nant over short solid conical ones, effigyanimal feet, shall be discussingit in the next section. Materials
and shorthollowconicalones. Handles also are varied, of this period were uncoveredby Ekholm at the El
withloop, strapand doubleloop occurring. Appliqued Prisco site, at Tancol and in levels 13 through17 at
ridgesare presenton some Heavy Plain ware. the Pavon site. With thepossibleexceptionof Panuco
As I have indicatedpreviously,figurinesin situ in Period (Period VI) sites,thisperiodis representedby
Chila depositsare rare (only one being foundby Ek- more moundsand large sites than any otherperiod in
holm at the Pavon site). However, Roberto Pavon theTampico-Panucoregion. In 1948,in thearea of La-
indicatedthat many of his figurineheads come from guna de la Tortuga, I tested two large sites of this
Chila deposits,so I shall tentatively use his ratherfull period while huntingfor earlier materials. Superfi-
data and am relyingin part on discussionsI had with cially,it would appear thattherewas a culturaldiscon-
himconcerningthe timeof the types. Generalcharac- tinuitybetweenthe Chila and El Prisco Periods as we
teristicsof the figurinesare about the same as those of now knowthem. Actually,thismay be moreapparent
the previous Aguilar Period. Types that have been than real, as our knowledgeof late Chila or early El
tentatively assignedto theChila Period are: hairknotted Prisco is extremelysketchy. Therefore,in this section
negroidtype,crew cut type,coarse paste type,coarse I shall point out wheneverpossible the discontinuities
flat rectangular-eyed type, cut-featuredtype, bulging and the continuities. There are at presenttwo ceramic
eye type,and large El Prisco type. Bodies are about complexes known fromthe period which I shall de.
the same as previously mentionedfor the Aguilar scribeseparately.
Period. The El Prisco ceramiccomplex is characterizedby
Effigyrattlesand whistlesoccur. Solid clay balls, the potterytypes El Prisco Black, Panuco Gray, and
sphericalclay beads, potsherdsdiscs, piercedpotsherd the sub-typeof El Prisco Black, Fresco Decorated.
discs and one doubtfulfragmentof a ladle were found. Chila White dies out earlyin the period,but the Heavy
No chippedstone artifactshave been foundin Chila Plain typecarrieson fromthe Chila Period practically
Period levels. Obsidian chips are about fourtimesas unchanged. Some of the sherds classifiedas "Red
numerousas flintchips but neitherare verynumerous. ware" appear to be carry-oversof Aguilar Red. It is
Only one fragmentof a metate,semi-lunarin cross- also possible that El Prisco Black developed from

Ponce. Black, and Panuco Gray from Aguilar Gray. lar,and solid spool-shapedearplugsand potsherddiscs,
Generallyspeaking,these later black and gray surface piercedor unpierced,were foundat the Pavon site in
finishesdifferfromthe earlier types in that theyare El Prisco Period levels.
inclinedto be made by a slip, ratherthan by a wash. No chippedstoneobjects have been foundassociated
Decoration,as in thepreviousperiod,is mainlyon inte- with materialsof this timeperiod. Ground stone ob-
rior bottomsof bowls. The older varietiesof incised jects includebell-shapedpestles,longoverhanging cylin-
decorationcarryon fromthe Chila Period, being one dricalmanos,squared-edgedrectangularmetates,whet-
area ofparallellinesadjacentto anotherof parallellines stones,perforatedtriangularfragments of green stone,
runningin oppositedirections, parallellines in one area and quartz polishingstones.
and cross-hatched lines in an adjacent area, onlyparal- House typesof thisperiodare unknown. Rectangu-
lel linesand onlycross-hatching.However,otherdeco- lar and roundtruncatedmoundsoccur,some of which
rationsdo occur. Of these the Fresco decorationis seem to have had plasteredsurfaces. In many cases
mostdistinctive.It has layersofbrilliantred and white the moundsare arrangedaroundplazas.
paint applied to the surfaceof El Prisco Black bowls. Beside theculturalcomplexdescribedabove thereex-
A band of threeor fourparallel lines at an acute or isted in the Panuco-Tampicoarea, evidentlyat roughly
obliqueangle to thelip occurs (as in the Chila Period), the same time,the Tancol complex. At presentonly
but someof thelinesare different fromthosepreviously the ceramiccomplexand one figurinetypeare known.
foundin that theirareas may be coveredwith red or As far as can be told fromour presentscantyknowl-
black paint. Anotherdistinctivenew type of decora- edge,theTancol complexrepresentsa ceramictradition
tion on interiorbottomsof bowls consistsof areas of separatefromthe main developmentfoundby Ekholm
red paintoutlinedby incisedlines. and myself. It appears to representan invasioninto
Perhaps the biggestdifference fromthe previouspe- the Tampico-Panucoarea by a completelyalien group.
riod is to be foundin vessel shapes. The mostdistinc- Fortunately,a few resemblanceswithEl Prisco are to
tive and dominantformsare bowls withinslopingsides be foundand these are the basis for it being assigned
and a thickenedor outflaringlip, with a rathersharp to the El Prisco Period. In my own personalopinion
ridgeon the exteriorbetweenthe sides and the convex it probablybelongsto the early part of the El Prisco
bottomof the bowl. Bowls withoutcurvedverticalor Period.
outslopingsides and convex bottomsappear to carry As faras paste and surfacefinishare concerned,most
over fromthe previousperiod,as do incurvedbowls, of the potteryis uniform,being coarse in paste and
hemispherical plates or dishes,and vertical-necked ollas havinga slip on the exterior. A few sherdshave red
with thickenedlips. Outsloping straight-sidedbowls paintoutlinedby incising,whileone sherdhas red and
and outflaring-sided bowls with convex bottomsare whitefrescopaint. Decorationconsistsof incisingon
very rare in this period. New additionsalso include interiorbottoms,thickenedlip surfaces,or exterior
flaring-sidedbowls with everted lips, hemispherical walls. On interiorbottomsthe sherds may have in-
bowlswithflattened thickenedlips,corrugated-sided incised parallelcurvilinearlines or punctatesand incising
curvedrimbowls,and bowls withoutcurvedsides and (zoned punctates); two sherds have linear punching
a pronouncedbasal ridge. One of the mostimportant inside curvedlines,and a few have incisedlines form-
additionsto this period consistsof ladles or dippers. ing diamonds. Lips may bear one to three parallel
The older formof vessel feet,shortsolid and conical, lines,but morecommonlytheydisplaylines and punc-
appears to continueas the dominantform. Shorthol- tates. Exteriorsides have punctatesinsideparallelin-
low conicalfeetand horizontally piercedfeetappear,but cised lines,or deep incisedlinesforminggeometricpat-
are rare. Other appendages include loop and strap terns. The commonestvessel formis a hemispherical
handles and appliqued ridges of clay on Heavy Plain. bowl witha flattenedlip. Many sherdsare fromves-
All of these appendage featuresappear to be carried sels of verticalsided bowls with thickenedor flared
over fromthe Chila Period. rims. Flaring-sidedconvex-bottomed bowls, outslop-
Figurinesof the El Prisco Period are usuallysmall, ing straight-sided bowls withconvexbottoms,flatopen
handmade,have good paste, and have eitherpainted, disheswithan incurvedlip, incurvedrimbowls,small-
slipped,or polishedsurfaces. Eyes are made by punc- mouthed seed bowls, insloping straight-sidedbowls
tations(oftenthreeadjacent ones), and withinthe nu- with convex bottomsand with a ridge or shortangle
meroustypesthereis great uniformity.Types of the at thejunctionofthebase and sides are common. Typ-
period are: flat rectangular-eye, cut feature,bulging ical El Prisco and Chila Period Heavy Plain ollas ap-
eye, large El Prisco, Panuco A, coffeebean eye, mask pear. Vessel feetare usuallyoftheloop or horizontally
type 1, and monkeys. Many of thesemay have devel- piercedvariety,thougha few shortsolid conical ones
oped fromChila and Aguilar types. appear.
Animal or bird effigywhistlesappear, as do effigy Figurinesof the Tancol complexare of flatrectangu-
rattlesand animalfigurines. Long tubular,shorttubu- lar-eyetype.

EXTERNAL RELATIONS OF THE PRE-CLASSIC standing of the cultural developments,diffusionof
PERIODS AT PANUCO traits,and culturaldynamicsof Meso-Americais to be
For a numberof reasons,any correlationsof the Pre- attained. Furthermore, withadditionalinformation on
Classic sequence at Panuco with those fromotherre- this horizon constantly accruing, the terminology con-
gions are tentative. First of all, Pre-Classic remains cerningthe various temporalstages and the definition
have been uncoveredin widelyseparatedareas and the of thetraitsof thevarioustemporalstagesare becoming
greatspatialgaps betweenmanyof the sites make tem- moreand moreconfused. The fewattemptsin thepast
poral equation difficult.Secondly,fromthe evidence at establishingany sort of general temporalyardstick
presentin the early levels,trade relationsdo not seem composedof sequentialor developmentalcomplexesof
as greatas in late periods,and distinctivewares (such traitshave been drownedunder the sea of new data.
as fineorange and plumbate) which could be used as Thus it seems high time that attemptsto order this
time-markersover wide areas appear to be lacking. chaos be undertakenno matterwhat the difficulties,
Thirdly,the incidenceof inventionsof certain early One valiant attemptin this directionwas undertaken
traitsand theirsubsequentdiffusion, earlyculturalcen- by Wauchope.89 Anotherattemptis presentedin the
ters,and earlyareas of culturallag are difficultto dis- followingpages.
cuss, since no adequate (relativeor absolute) means of To begin,it is necessaryto delineategenerallythe
datingremainsin each area exists. Fourthly,withthe Pre-Classicand the Classic of Middle America. Typi-
possible exception of Wauchope's excellent paper,88 cal of theClassic stageare theTzakol and Tepeu phases
correlationsof Pre-Classicsequencesover wide areas of of Uaxactun,90the Esperanza phase of Kaminaljuyu.9'
Middle America, when attempted,appear to be very and Teotihuacan (II-V) in the Valley of Mexico.
subjective. The objectivedata (if theyexist) seldom Some characteristics of the earlypart of this stage that
receivemore thancursorymentionin conjunctionwith appear over a wide area in Meso-Americaare mold-
thecorrelationchartor charts. Anycriticismofarchae- made figurines,cylindricalvessels, slab vessel feet,
ologistsmakingsuch correlationsmustbe temperedby polychromepottery,fresco decorated pottery,carved
the inadequacy or lack of extensivereportsavailable decorationof pottery,stone sculpture,and extensive
frommanyareas, thefactthatarchaeologicalcollections architectural features. The materialsto be considered
from the various excavations are available only at below, called Pre-Classic or Formative, are earlier
widelyseparatedpointsin North and Middle America, (stratigraphically)than the Classic ones or the hori-
and the factthatfewarchaeologistshave sufficient time zons having Classic characteristics.General charac-
or available fundsto travel extensivelyto study each teristicsof the Formativeor Pre-Classic (which will
collection. be better definedin the subsequent discussion) are
In my own case, I am well aware of my inadequacy modelled figurines,monochromeor bichromepottery,
to undertakethe task of correlationof Pre-Classic se- vessel feet eitherconical or bulbous (if not lacking),
quences. I have been able to study type collections and, generally, the lack of extensivearchitecturalfea-
onlycursorilyat theAmericanMuseumof NaturalHis- tures and incised or engraveddecoratedpottery.
toryin New York fromEl Arbolillo,Zacatenco,Gualu- Ideally,absolutedates foreach Pre-Classicperiodor
pita,Ticomnan, and Tres Zapotes. I was able to spend phase in Middle America would solve the problemof
only a shorttimeat the Peabody Museum of Harvard temporalcorrelations of varioussitesand theirtemporal
examiningMaya and Honduras materials. Collections divisions. At present, no adequate datingsystemhas
fromTres Zapotes, Cerro de las Mesas, and the Bay been used or perfected. Carbon 14 dates have been
Islands of Honduras have been only brieflyobserved establishedforsome materialsin the Valley of Mexico.
at the National Museum at Washington,D. C. Fhe However,the dates givenforthe culturesdo not agree
onlymaterialsI have seen fromMonte Alban are those with the stratigraphicdata. Charcoal from Early
on exhibitionin the Museo Nacional in Mexico. Rob- Zacatenco is dated as 3310 + 250 years ago, while
ertEliot Smithand Edwin M. Shook were kindenough charcoal fromTlatilco (Middle Zacatenco in time) is
to send me a small type collectionof sherdsfromthe dated as 3407 ? 250 years ago. Even worse, a wood
Pre-Classic levels of Uaxactun and Kaminaljuyu. It pillar from Teotihuacan, stratigraphically considered
has, of course,been possibleto correspondand discuss much more recent than either of the above, is dated
Pre-Classic materials with various archaeologists,as by Carbon 14 as older than eitherof them, 3424 ? 250
well as studythe reportsof excavationsof early sites. years ago.92 The Carbon 14 dating techniquemay
Nevertheless, discussions, correspondence,and the well proveto be the solutionforcorrelatingPre-Classic
study of reportsare at best poor substitutesfor the materials. At present,however,materialssuitablefor
intensivestudyof the actual materials. Carbon 14 tests are not available from the various
in
However, spite of the many difficulties
and insuffi- Pre-Classicmanifestations, and certainlyin lightof the
ciencies mentionedabove, correlationsof Pre-Classic 89 R. Wauchope,1950.
90R. E. Smith, 1940.
sequencesand sites are vitallynecessaryif any under- 91Kidder,Jennings,and Shook,1946.
88 R. Wauchope,1950. 92J. R. Arnoldand W. F. Libby,1950: 13-14.

above datessomesortof refining of thetechniqueseems fromPanuco. However,thereis a definitesimilarity in

necessary. temper,paste consistency,firingtechnique (reducing
In lieu of exact year dates, one must fall back on atmosphere) and surfacefinishbetweensome of the
overlappingpotterytypesor wares,overlappingartifact early black ware sherds from Mamom, Lower Tres
or figurinestypes,trade objects and similartraitcom- Zapotes, and Ponce. Many of the vessel forms,the
plexes. Since I am mostfamiliarwithmaterialsfrom use of appendages,decoration,and the occasional use
the Panuco sequence,I shall firstconsiderthose mate- ofa slipon theblackpotteryofUaxactunare specifically
rials foundat Panuco thatoverlapwithmaterialsfrom differentfrom the Black ware of Panuco and Tres
sequencesin otherareas. So far,mostof the aberrant Zapotes. Perhaps thereis a generalblack ware paste
sherdsat Panuco whichmay be trade sherdshave not class extendingfromthe Peten to Panuco. However,
been identifiedas to place of origin. However, one furtherdata and analysis on this subject seem very
potterytype at Panuco does appear to have definite necessarybeforeone can formanyconfident conclusions
analogies withpotteryfromanotherarea. The Ponce aboutthematter.
Black potterytype is extremelysimilar to the black The otheritemsof the early Panuco sequencewhich
ware ofLower Tres Zapotes.93 Ponce Black,likeblack- show a strongresemblanceto foreignmaterialsare the
ware of Tres Zapotes, has "minute specks of white figurines. In the sectionof the paper on figurines,I
tempering, althoughas a rule . . . [it] containsa good went to some length to point out the resemblances
deal ofwhitesand . .. thepastetendsto mediumcoarse- betweenPonce Period figurines(and a few fromthe
ness" and is oftenratherporous. "The paste is or- Aguilar Period) and those from the early levels at
dinarilyblack throughand through"while "irregular Uaxactun. Since the writingof that section,I have
firedcloudlikepatches of grayishwhite"94 appear on had the opportunityto examine a collectionof fairly
the outer sides of vessels or at the lip. Hardness is typicalPre-ClassicMaya figurinesfromEl Salvador at
about 3 and sherds vary between1/4 and 3/4 inch in the AmericanMuseum of Natural History,and a few
thickness. Generallyspeaking,innersurfacesare pol- from Honduras and the southernMaya area at the
ishedblack,whileexteriorsare onlysmoothedand have Peabody Museum of Harvard. The resemblancebe-
a mottledor less pure black appearance. Vessel shapes tweenthe figurinesfromthese widelyseparatedareas
are very similar,in that flaring-sided and outsloping is truly remarkableand figure25 demonstratesthis
straight-sidedflat-bottomed bowls (called bowls, flat fact clearly. It may be noted that the early Ponce
base, flaringrimby Drucker 1943a: 61), hemispherical figurinesshow the greatestresemblanceto those from
bowls (called bowls, curved sided by Drucker 1943a: the Maya area, and I believe it is possible tentatively
61), incurved-sidedbowls with or withouta tapered to equatethe Ponce Period (particularlytheearlypart)
evertedlip,flaring-sided convex-bottomed bowls (called with the Mamom Period of Uaxactun. Some of the
bowls, compositesilhouetteby Drucker 1943a: 61), vessel formsand other traitstend to confirmsuch a
and concave-sidedjars are the dominantformsof the conclusion(see fig.35-37).
black potteryin Lower Tres Zapotes and in the Ponce The one figurineof Aguilar Period fromthe excava-
Period at Panuco. Since decorationsare not described tion at Panuco called pseudo baby-face,and a number
for materialsfromLower Tres Zapotes, similaritiesin of figurinesfromthe Pavon collection,probablyfrom
this respect with Ponce Black cannot be evaluated. Aguilar or Chila Period deposits,resemblespecimens
Appendagesappear to be absent in the black pottery fromMiddle Tres Zapotes. The Aguilarfigurinewith
frombothareas. All in all, the Ponce Black typeand a goatee and the beardedLa Venta figurinesmay also
theblackware sherdsfromLower Tres Zapotes appear representsome sort of a linkage. However, these
to belong to the same ware class and in some cases, resemblances are not as greatas are the Mamomn-Ponce
I believe,even to be the same potterytype. Certainly, similarities.
thereseemsto be justification fortentatively considering Besides comparisonsof potterytypes and figurines
the Ponce Period of Panuco and Lower Tres Zapotes of Panuco with those of otherareas, it is possible to
of southernVera Cruz to be roughlycontemporaneous. comparecomplexesof traitsfromeach periodat Panuco
As we shall see, other traits appear to confirmsuch withtraitsofvariousperiodsfromotherareas. Origin-
a conclusion. ally, on the basis of the similaritiesof Panuco to
R. E. Smith has already pointedout that the early Uaxactun figurines,and of black ware at Panuco to
Mamom Black ware and thatof Tres Zapotes are quite that of Tres Zapotes, I constructeda chartcomparing
similarand mightbe related.95I have seen onlya few the traits of the early ceramic periods or phases of
sherds of early Black ware fromMamom and, while each of thesethreesites. At firstthis charthad as its
admittingtheirsimilarityto those of Tres Zapotes, I abscissa the traitsfromPre-Classicperiodsat Panuco,
would be inclinedto say that theyare not so closely arrangedso thatthe earliesttraitswere at the leftand
relatedto Tres Zapotes Black ware as is Ponce Black the latestwere at the right. The ordinateof thischart
93Drucker, 1943a: 60. was the five Pre-Classic periods of Panuco with the
94 Op. Cit. earliestat thebottomand thelatestat thetop. Tabular
95Ekholm, 1944: 425. values indicatingthe presenceof a certaintrait of a

certainperiodwere markedby an X, or if the traitwas cal bowls (with a flatbottom?); incurved-rinm bowls;
rare at a certainperiodit was markedby an R. Next, incurved-rim bowls with a tapered evertedlip; small
each Pre-Classicperiodor phase fromTres Zapotesand human-facedeffigy jars or bowls; large flaring-necked,
Uaxactun was comparedwiththischart. Periods from globular-bodied,flat-bottomed ollas; and, less promi-
these sites having similar tabular values to those of nently,flaring-sided bowls withconvex bottoms(com-
Panuco were thenfittedintotheirappropriatepositions posite silhouettedishes or bowls). The only ap-
on the ordinateof the chart. Some of the positionsof pendages thatappear frequently in the Village Forma-
the traitsin the abscissa were shifted;or if the traits tive are unsupportedspouts,thoughloop handles and
were found not to be significantor presentin many double loop handles are sometimesfound in Mamoml-
periods they were eliminated;or if new traits were materials. Other diagnostic objects include pierced
foundthatwere presentat numerousperiodstheywere or unpiercedground potsherddiscs, and small effigy
added to the chartin theirappropriatepositionon the whistles(oftena bird) with small loop handles at the
abscissa. Shortly after the original chart was com- back of the neck. Beside these Village Formative
pleted, Wauchope's papertl came to my notice, and characteristics, there are the figurineswhich are dif-
I was stimulatedto revise my chart to include other ficultto characterizesince no commontype is found
sites having two or more Pre-Classic sequential pe- in all the phases belongingto this period. Generally
riods, as well as some of the traits of these periods. speaking,figurinesare solid and hand-modelledbeings
The new sites includedZacatenco,El Arbolillo,Gualu- of large size (over 11/2 inches tall) with triangular
pita, Ticoman, Monte Alban, and sites in the Bay noses, applique lips, and distinctiveeyes. The eyes
Islands regionof Honduras. The fittingof these pe- are lens-shapedimpressionswith a large, deep central
riods and traits into my chart made for reshuffling,perforationfor the eyeball. Eyes seem to have been
eliminations, and additions. One of the end products made by two impressionsof an isoscelestriangle(with
of this manipulatingmay be seen in chart 10. Using slightlyexcurvatesides) with theirbases overlapping
thesedata, as well as the previouslymentionedfigurine and the apexes impressedmore deeplythan the bases.
and blackware resemblances, I thenattemptedto divide Later theyhave a large conicalobject punchedinto the
the general sequences into stages with definitestage regionof the bases of the triangle,makingthe sides of
characteristics,and to correlate the various periods the punctateroughlytangentto the basal edges of the
from the differentareas. Chart 11, which I call triangles. There is a generaltendencyfor these early
Alternative1, appears to be one possible sequence. figurinesto be more realistic and show more indi-
Chart 10, a correlationchart of traits and periods, vidualitythanthoseofthelaterstages.
indicatesthe sequenceof traitsand sequenceof periods Periods representingthe Temple Formative Stage
of sites by stages. Dark lines indicate the limitsof followperiodsoftheVillage Formative.99Sites are not
the stages. A discussionof the traits may be found onlyin thelowlandsbutin thehighlands. (It is possible
in theappendix. that periods of the Village Formative have not yet
The correlationof sitesand sequenceof traitsoffered been foundin the highlandsand, therefore, the earliest
in Alternative1 would have Pavon and Ponce of ones belong to the Temple Formative.) The Aguilar
Panuco, Lower Tres Zapotes of southernVera Cruz, and Chila Periods from Panuco, the Middle Tres
Mamom of Uaxactun (Benque Viejo Ia), and Yojoa Zapotes phase (and evidentlyLa Venta and part of
Monochromeof easternHonduras as representatives of Lower 1 of Cerro de las Mesas) fromsouthernVera
the Village FormativeStage.97 As may be noted,all Cruz, the Chicanelphase of Uaxactun (and the nearby
these sites are in the lowlandsor easterncoastal plain. San Jose I, Mountain Cow Ia, and Benque Viejo lb
Pavon and Yojoa monochromeperiods possiblyrepre- phases), the Playa de los Muertos,and Ulua Bichrome
sentearlyphases of thisstage,but insufficientmaterials horizonsfromthe Bay Islands of Honduras are low-
make any such assignmenttentativeif not hazardous. land representatives of the Temple Formative. In the
As maybe seen fromthechart,thereis a seriesof traits highlands,the earlyand middleperiodsof El Arbolillo,
commonin most of the sites belongingto this stage.98 Zacatenco,and Gualuipta I (and probablyCholula I,
Surfacefinishis always monochrome, beingred, white, Copilco,and Tlatilco) fromthe Valley of Mexico, and
or black. The black monochromeis usuallyfiredin a possiblythe earlypart of Monte Alban I fromOaxaca
reducingatmosphere. Decorationis by incising(post- (and perhapsLas CharcasfromMiraflores, Guatemala)
or pre-firing). Vessel forms characteristicof this are representativesof the Temple Formative Stage.
stage are outflaring-sided flat-bottomedbowls; out- In termsof traits,let me say that many of the older
sloping,straight-sided, bowls; hemispheri- (Village Formative) traitscontinueintothisstage (see
flat-bottomed
chart 10). However, there is a series of new traits
96Wauchope, 1950.
97 The term Village Formative Stage has been adopted from 99 I prefer to use the term Temple Formative instead of
Wauchope's 1950 paper. As may be seen, the characteristicsof Wauchope's Urban Formative. I feel that this stage is not
the stage are redefined. characterized by true cities and therefore not urban. The
98 For descriptionsand illustrationsof many of these traits see temple building complex seems to be moreover extremely
the appendix and figs. 35-37. characteristicof the period.

spuelslo'd
A.i;)Ilod Jo 2UTlUT'edatuoiqz)Ajod x
laaj laSSaA tUJ0J!tUtUl3W
a.injz)aj!qz).m auoiS
2uTpl!nq punotu aATsualx:q
2uisiz)uTAq pauilino suam palumd paw
spunow palulosl
siaddTp.io salpt-, x x x 04
x x x
R,[moqpa2uuU-jusug x
-04 x 11x 1
saiput,q duijS x x x x x
alupund pauoz-paslz)uj X x
sauoz Ul 2uldwLjsla,)jz)od x x x
simoq allanotil!s x x x x
al!sodwoz) Pap!s-2uluojsuj
suoipafoid itluoziioq
cn jL'u.lajxa ql!m sdippiqj pasiDuI
laaj JaSSaApodul litwS x x x x x x x x x

z
sawojqDiq aj!-Ljm-uo-paW x x x x x x x x x x
cn
salpuuq dool aiqnoCl x x x x
simoq allanoqps
al!sodwoz) pap!s-2uutUjno
S,A PallaAM 2UTWIOJ
salupund jo pasodwoz) SaAa x x x x x x x x 04 04 x
(j) ql!m sauijn2Tj 'palsud-aug '11twS
sauun2g paAa-Itnildilla x x x x
c/) -pajupund lp'ajstd-autoz) la2ii-j x x x
c
z 2WAL1.12Ua ql!m aiatidsowlt, x x x x
.! 2ulzmpaj t, uipaiq 313tiq awoiqDouoW x x
cn
slmoq Wll PaAjnDuj
uolluloDap paspul x x x x x
saiputq doo-I x x x
z (pazmaidun io paDiaid) sDsip piaqslod
Qwolloq lulj) simoq juz)uaqdsiwaH x 04 04 x x x x x
sjuf A2igja az)tj utwnq limS x x
sinods pa2ppquj-j x x
alt'm al!qAk atu0-'q30u0W x x x x x x x x x xx

1 04 1 I x I x II -
-
alum pa-d awolqz)ouow x x x x x x x X. x x
x x x P4Fx w.I xI x xI
sullo PaWWl.1-2uuLu AAeaH x x x x x >11 x x x x x x x x x
z
simoq patuolloq 041 x x
-ltlu pap!"q2mps 2uidoisino
slmoq pawolloq-IuU pap!s-2uuuj_q x x
juasqt, io aiui sauun.Vi_q
WIOJ laSSaA JULUTWOP St'llo
Apo uoijuiwap ajupunj x
0
M
(Vi (V
> 0
ci 4 0
>
0
a 0 cis H 11 0 0 0
U
cis Q Cd
ri) (1).0 0 Cd 4
cu, m 41 " C- z N u
r
ct J),! cd., cd ri) 0
ro NC,40 z C' (1) (1) U 0
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Cd
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CHART 11
ALTERNATIVE1-CORRELATION OF PRE-CLASSICSEQUENCES IN MEso-AMERICA
Valley of Southern Lowland Lowland

Oaxaca Mexico Huasteca Vera Cruz Maya Honduras
Monte Alban II Upper Tres

Proto- Ticoman-Teot. 1 El Prisco- Zapotes Holmul I Copan I
Classic Late Zacatenco Tancol
Monte Alban I
Tlatilco-Zac. 2- Chila La Venta-
El Arbolillo 2 Cerro d. 1. San Jose I- Ulua
Temple Mesas I Chicanel Bichrome
Forma-
tive Zacatenco I-El Aguilar Middle Tres Playa de los
Arbolillo I Zapotes Muertos
Village Ponce Lower Tres

Forma- Zapotes Mamom
tive Yojoa
Pavon Monochrome
distinctive of the period.100Besides the red,black,and clined to be significantdifferencesfromthe previous

white monochromesthere are bichromesof red on stage in each area, but few widespreadresemblances
white (maybe red on black), and decorationin which occur in each area. The few new traits that appear
areas of red are outlined by incised lines. Rocker to have wider areal and temporal implicationsare
stampingappears at a few sites. Thickened lips of polychromepottery,bridgespouts on vessels,ladles or
bowlswithhorizontalexternalprojectionsare decorated dippers, potstands,large mammiformvessel legs, a
by incisingand punctating. Zone punctatedecoration tendencyfor strap handles to be more frequent,and
is present. In vessel forms basal-ridgedbowls and extensivebuildingof mounds (oftenaround plazas or
insloping-sidedcomposite silhouettesappear for the connectedwithstonearchitecture).101
first time. As to vessel appendages, loop handles This tentativesequenceof the Pre-ClassicStage and
and double loop handles are now fairlyfrequent,and its characteristics
appears to make the early stages in
by the end of the stage strap handles occur. Vessel the lowlands relativelyearlierthan the early stages in
feet (tripod) also began to appear. These feet are the highlands. With particularreferenceto the Valley
usually shortand solid, but there appears to be con- of Mexico, I believethatthe sequenceat Tres Zapotes
siderableregionalvariationin form. Ladles or water and La Venta is particularlyhelpfulin correlatinglow-
dippers make their appearance in this stage but the land-highlandsequences. The materialsat La Venta
trait is much more frequentin the followingstage. and Tlatilco have manysignificant pointsof similarity
It is in thisperiodthatisolatedmoundsbegan to appear and, I believe,may safelybe temporallyequated and
at various sites, but it is eithernot a widespreadoc- thoughtof as representingcontact between the two
currenceor our knowledgeof the incidenceof early loci. Baby-facedclay figurinesand stone statues,jade
mounds is too scanty. In figurinesthere appears to
withcarved "Olmec" baby faces,rockerstampingas a
be considerableregionalvariation,but,generallyspeak-
decorativetechnique,zoned punctatedecoration,and a
ing, heads are modelled,they may be eithersolid or
seriesof vesselformssuchas waterbottlesattestto this
hollow,theyare small in size (under 11/2inches), have
twice or thricepunctatedeyes forminginvertedV's, relationship. Tlatilco, in the Valley of Mexico, is,
and there is a general tendencyfor them to be less according to Muriel Porter's Ph.D. thesis, roughly
realisticand moreconventionalized thanin theprevious equivalentto Early or Middle Tres Zapotes and before
stage. It might be added that at Uaxactun, Tres Early Ticoman, while Drucker feels that "the Middle
Zapotes,and possiblyMonteAlban a calendricalsystem Tres Zapotes period persisteda little longer at La
is recordedon stoneforthefirsttime. Venta" than at Tres Zapotes.102 Thus if Middle
While therehad been some regionalspecializationin Zacatencoand late or just post MiddleTres Zapotesare
the Village FormativePeriod and a littlemore in the equatedvia theLa Venta-Tlatilcorelationship, it would
Temple Formative,the Proto-ClassicStage sees really seem possible that Early Zacatenco and at least some
great regionalspecializations. As mightbe expected, part of the early Middle Tres Zapotes phase were
in most of the areas, traitsof the previousperiod con- roughlyof the same time. Detailed publicationand
tinue to develop. Generallyspeaking,there are in- futureanalysisof the Tlatilco and La Venta materials
100 See chart 10 and the appendix for furtherdescription of 101 See appendix for furtherdescription.
the traits. 102 Drucker,1947.

IlYoq W1.1 p3Ainz)ui | I X | |X | X | X |X |X |
osinods pa2ppJquf l l l | | x x|5
_; 'palsed-aseoo '03J' | |
J lS-s oqlPSpaul.olsloqno | |X| x| |X| X| X|
3i 2 uidlsin
papslo-jte2i1oljs \ E | K | X $ | X X X 5
juasqlo jo aila sauijn2i_ ||q| | l l l l l
1SS3A
tURSOJ SB1
ucltBuIop
ll0 z I Z l
spulolsl?dc |X |X|X I
amplal!qare auois | x x|x|x x| x| | I I I

? x | -|x |x| x| x| | ^
laa~~13J
13SS3A tuJ0J!utu'6W
? | 3110d Jo 2ulluled atuolqlDAjod x|X| x |X x x | x | | I III
O S ~~~sal-epund;Duoz-pasiouj
2 B~~~~~~~uippnq
punoyV|W x x|x x|x x | ^-| x|
z; slmoqpa2uejj-jeseq - x|x| X|x x|x| $|5 x
O ~~~~~salpueq
daps | I | | x|x x|xI |x| x| X
sauoz ui 2u1dtu1os JaajDoX | lx x| |
Opauillno seoaxo paluled pawq I | | | g
LS sa1puml cdool alqnoC | A

-10
es cnr ~~~~~s-addip
salp'e- -| x
a
su; lpafold I-eluozilou, peulal a | | | | | |x | x| x| | x x | | x| |
rH
Z = al-ldlu
axouo
..1 sa lD n Jo pa-d-
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U) 1 saulJ oq
pasdaullanolls
C; | | | | | x|X | X x| x| x x| I
al!soduuoz) 3p!apsq-2lud lojsu II I
u sef J3a j p4DS3 delnl llBUIS |, x x x x x| | |
> : ~~~s uio-apiq

ap j-,opaHlU
x | x
X l o 1 4 ]DU x |x x|x| x 1Xx . x I x x| |- x
s?e aA !
njloqpasocadluo) x |x x x| |x| |
qmsuu2jpllOlsed-au 'paAeBua
q1 adsloqu aulanotjj! x x x x x xx x x x x xx x x x|
sief AUpayaz)ej-eun
j avuoD uoy | | | |
> ~~ ~~e aopl avuo

oz)a puoy x x x| x |x x |x |x | x | x x | x|x|x|x|x
pa-J a 3Au nzoujy

sa mo | x x x|x| x x
x|x|x| x| x|x | x|x|x|x|x x
Sello pauulaq -Bl u AaH l

pnp x| x | x | x | x | x
x|x| x| x|x x|x|x|x|x|x
~ auioltpouoW:
,e~u.p,i31',l ~ > N}

CHART 13
ALTERNATIVE 2-CORRELATION OF PRE-CLASSIC SEQUENCES IN MEso-AMERICA
Valley of Southern Maya Lowland

Oaxaca Mexico Huasteca Vera Cruz Lowlands Honduras
Monte Alban II
Proto- Teot. 1- El Prisco- Upper Tres Holmul I Copan I
Classic Ticoman- Tancol Zapotes
Zacatenco 3
Monte Alban I
Chila
Zacatenco 2 Middle Tres Ulua
Temple El Arbolillo 2 Aguilar Zapotes Chicanel Playa de los
Forma- Muertos
tive Ponce
Village Zacatenco 1 Pavon Lower Tres Yojoa

Forma- El Arbolillo Zapotes Mamom Monochrome
tive
could do much toward confirming or negatingsuch a Middle Tres Zapotes, Chicanel,Playa de los Muertos,
hypothesis. and Ulua Bichrome (and Lower 1 of Cerro de las
A glanceat the variousarticlesand chartsconcerned Mesas). The diagnostictraitsof this stage would be
with the correlationsof the periods and sites of the potteryladles or dippers,polychrome pottery,red paint
Pre-Classicperiodsor stageswill indicatethatchart11, areas outlinedby incising,rocker stamping,mounds,
called AlternativeI, is at some variance with these bowls witha basal ridge,and strap handles. It might
othercorrelationattempts.103 Taking the variousother also be notedthatthe traitsabsentin the lowlandsand
attemptsand fittingin my own sequence,I arrivedat presentin thehighlandsin the Village FormativeStage
the correlationin chart13, called Alternative2. I then now appear on the coast. These traits,presumably
re-arrangedthe traits of chart 10 so that they cor- diffusedto the coast, would be loop handles, small
respondedwiththe lattercorrelation, called chart12. tripodfeet,red on whitepottery,incised thickened-lip
Such a chartgroupstheYojoa Monochrome, Mamom, bowls and angled inslopingbowls. Only one early
Lower Tres Zapotes, Ponce, Pavon, Lower Zacatenco, coastal trait,incurvedrimbowls,appears to have gone
and Early El ArbolilloPeriods togetheras representa- fromthe lowlandsto thehighlands.
tiveof the Village FormativeStage. Thus, in the early The finalperiod,Proto-ClassicFormative,would be
period,both highlandand lowland culturesare repre- represented at Late Ticoman,El Prisco,Tancol,Holmul
sented. Characteristics typicalof the stage would be: 1, and eitherLa Venta or the earlypart of Upper Tres
monochrome red ware,monochrome whiteware,mono- Zapotes. Widespread traitswould be few,being only
chromeblackware,large flaring-necked globular-bodied mammiform feet, zoned punctatedecoration,bridged
flat-bottomed ollas, incised decoration,hemispherical spouts, and extensive mound building with mounds
bowls, potsherddiscs, small effigyjars, and composite arrangedarounda plaza.
silhouettejars. Also startingin thisperiod,but mainly Again,someof thearchaeologicalevidencefromTres
confinedto Early El Arbolillo-Zacatenco,would be Zapotes and the Valley of Mexico would seem to favor
loop handles,small tripodfeet,red on whitebichrome the second alternative. In the Valley of Mexico, fig-
ware,incisedthickened-lipped vesselswithexternalhori- tirines of Type A 105 and the baby-facedtype are
zontal projections,angled insloping bowls and cor- extremelysimilarto Type A, D, and E in Middle Tres
rugated-sided waresas wellas ladles. Specializationsin Zapotes.106Type A of the Valley of Mexico is usually
the earlycoastal sites,not foundearlyin the Valley of associated with Middle Zacatenco times, while the
Mexico, would be: unbridgedspouts, effigywhistles babyfacesappear mainlyat GualupitaI, roughlyof the
with a loop handle,double-loophandles,incurvedrim same time period. Thus it might be inferredthat
bowls, outsloping straight and flaring-rimmed flat- Middle Zacatenco time and Middle Tres Zapotes are
bottomedbowls.'04 roughlycontemporaneous, and, therefore,Early Zaca-
The second stage,Temple Formative,is represented tenco and Lower Tres Zapotes would be roughly
by Middle Zacatenco and El Arbolillo (also Gualupita coeval. As is probablyobvious,the correlationof the
I, Copilco,and Tlatico), Early Ticoman,Chila,Aguilar, various stages within the Pre-Classic time horizon
seemsto hingeon the problemof whetherthe highland
103 Kroeber, 1940; Vaillant, 1941: 27; Armillos, 1948; Strong,
1943: 42; Wauchope, 1950. 105 Vaillant,1934.

104 See appendix for description of traits. 106 Drucker, 1943a.

Valley of Mexico sequence is contemporaneouswith RELEVANCE OF THE DATA TO THE PROBLEMS

the whole sequence on the coast or with only the last One oftheprimaryconcernsofthe 1948-1949expedi-
two-thirdsof it. Though very littleis known of the tionand theexcavationsat Panuco was withpre-pottery
formativesequenceat Kaminaljuyu,I believethe same remains. However, even thoughtwo sites whichhad
problemis present,that is, whetherLas Charcas and earlyFormativeremainswere tested,and a numberof
Providenciaof Kaminaljuyuare contemporaneous with others reconnoitered, not one scrap of new evidence
all of the lowland Formative (at Uaxactun, particu- was broughtto bear on the problemof the earlierpre-
larly),or whethertheearlypartofthelowlandsequence ceramicculturesin Mexico in the Panuco area.
is earlier than the earliest phase (so far found) at However, to recapitulate,new information concern-
Miraflores. ing the secondary problems of Huastec-Maya relation-
The problem of correlatingthe lowland with the ships was brought to lightby the Panuco archaeological
highlandsequences is importantparticularlyfromthe endeavors. First, in the newly definedPonce Period
standpointof determining culturalcentersand direction of Panuco there were found materialsdefinitelyre-
of diffusion of earlytraitswithinor intoMeso-America. lated to those of the Mamom phase of Uaxactun in
the Maya area. The Maya-like figurinesat Panuco
Owing to the smallamountof data fromthe Formative
not only have a complexof many figurinefeaturesin
Periods and the great distances between the sites
commonwith those of the Maya that are not likely
excavated, any attempt at deciding the matter or to have been inventedindependently, but also standout
evaluatingthe two alternativetemporalcorrelationsis in marked contrastto the multitudeof un-Maya-like
difficult, and any decision is at best very tentative. figurinesof the Valley of Mexico, Cerro de las Mesas,
However, since the problemis a very importantone La Venta, Tres Zapotes, later periods at Panuco and
and since it may stimulateconstructivediscussionsor sites of FormativeStages in otherregionsnorthof the
publicationson the matter,an evaluationof the two Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Secondly,the majorityof
alternativesseems worthwhile. In my opinion,these vessel formsin the Ponce Period at Panuco are also
setsof data seemimportant.First of all, the La Venta- presentin the Mamom phase at Uaxactun. The black
Tlatilco connection,suggestinga late Middle Tres ware potteryis very similar. Loop handles,whistles,
Zapotes and early Middle Zacatencotemporalequation and the house type are alike. However, thereare no
(thereby favoringAlternative1), seems to be sig- trade sherdsor exactlyduplicatedmaterialsin Panuco
nificant. Of course, furtherdata on Tlatilco and La fromUaxactun nor, as far as I know,is the converse
Venta are stillverynecessary. Secondly,Alternative2 true. Likely archaeologicalinterpretations of these
has some very obvious pecularities that to my mind similarities and differences would seem to be either
make it untenable. This alternativeforces one to as- that Ponce (and Pavon?) and Mamom had only recently
sume (1) thatthereis a peculiarearly one-waydiffu- become separatedand that an older commontradition
was beingcontinuedin part,or thatPonce and Mamom
sion fromthehighlandsto the lowlands,(2) thatthere
representlocal variationswithinthe same culturearea
is a considerabletemporalgap betweenthe inceptionof
duringthe Village FormativeStage. Furthermore, on
the traitsin the highlandsand theiradoption on the this same early level Ponce is
relatedto Lower Tres
east coast, and (3) thatthe area whichapparentlyde- Zapotes, while the many Lower Tres Zapotes' simi-
veloped hieroglyphsand the calender is an area of laritiesto Mamomhave beenpointedout by Drucker.107
ceramicculturallag. Thoughtheseassumptions, neces- On thebasis ofthe Ponce-LowerTres Zapotes-Mamom
saryconcomitants to Alternative2, are withinthe realm connections it seemsreasonableto hypothesize thatthere
of possibility,theydo not seem probableand certainly was, in the Village Formative Stage, a culturearea
make the early pictureof culturaldynamicsunneces- extendingfromPanuco to at least the Peten,and one
sarily complex. On a logical basis, the principleof might surmise that on an even earlier horizon the
Ockham's Razor might be applied with good effect similaritieswere still greater. Carryingthe historical
in this instance. On the otherhand, the sequence of reconstruction into the Temple FormativeStage, Tres
traitsindicatedin Alternative1 and chart 11 shows a Zapotes, Uaxactun, and Panuco show strong local
gradual developmentfrom relativelysimple to more developmentswhich continue into the Proto-Classic
complex as far as the traits go and suggests wide period. Generally speaking, the Maya area shows
contacts,mutualborrowingand littleculturallag over mainlya local developmentwithlittleoutsideinfluence
a wide area of Meso-America. To me this seems an fromthe North. Tres Zapotes seemsto be influencing,
entirelyplausiblepicturein lightof the archaeologyof and beinginfluenced by,the Valley of Mexico, whileat
Panuco we have mainly a local developmentwithsome
Mexico of the laterperiods. Thus I would tentatively
influencefrom southernVera Cruz. In the Classic
favor Alternative1, with the earliest periods on the
Stage, Uaxactun flowers,seeminglywith many out-
coast being somewhatearlierthan the earliestones so
farfoundin thehighlands. 107 Drucker, 1943a.

side contacts,whileupperTres Zapotesand the Pithaya then on the Ponce-Mamom-LowerTres Zapotes time
and Zaquil (Ekholm's Periods III and 'IV) of the level theremay have been a linguisticarea of Maya-
Panuco-Tampicoarea showinfluences fromTeotihuacan speakingpeoples as well as a culturalarea extending
and/or fromTajin (a Teotihuacanderivative) on the fromat leastthePetento Panuco. Any suchpostulated
centralVera Cruz coast. The finalperiodsat Panuco linguisticarea or culturalarea is, of course,tentative,
see influencesfromthe Valley of Mexico, whileat that subject to closer scrutinywhen more early archaeo-
time in southernVera Cruz the Soncautla complex logical informationis available from areas or sites
appears to representa replacementof the early mate- betweeneach of the three sites mentionedpreviously.
rials by a culturethat had developedelsewhere (per- At historictimes,the Maya-speakingHuastec were
haps to the west or northwesttowardor in the Valley residentin northVera Cruz, the Totonac in the central
of Mexico).1O8 At Uaxactun at this time the gradual Vera Cruz region, and Nahuatl-speakingpeople in
abandonment of thesitetakesplace. southernVera Cruz. In thesouthernVera Cruz region
With this cursorysummaryof the southernVera at Tres Zapotes, the Soncaulta complexappears to be
Cruz, lowland Maya and Panuco sequences (of mate- intrusiveon the coast from the highlandsat about
rial culture) in mind,let us considerthe Maya-Huastec Tula-Mazapan timesand to have supersededtheLower,
linguisticrelationship. In consideringa correlationof Middle,and Upper Tres Zapotes phases. If the Lower
linguisticdata with archaeologicalsequences,the best phase and subsequentMiddle and Upper phases repre-
that one can do is to indicatea series of probablein- sent the remainsof Maya-speakingpeoples, then the
ferencesthat appear to fitbest both the linguisticand intrusiveSoncautlacomplexmay representthe invasion
the archaeologicalinformation. of Nahuatl-speaking peoples onto the coast. This may
In dealing with the linguisticsituation,one must in representone of the processesin southernVera Cruz
thebeginningassumethatany markedshiftin language,
by which the Huastecs and Maya proper became
such as the introductionof a new linguisticstock,
separated.
would be at least somewhatreflectedin the material
Justwhen the ancestorsof the Totonac invaded the
culture. At Panuco, onlyin the Ponce Period are there
coast (if theydid) cannotbe told on the basis of the
many significantrelationshipsto the Maya area, spe-
cificallyto the Mamomphase of Uaxactun and Benque presentarchaeologicaldata. However, it may well be
Viejo Ia. Therefore,it seems probablethat a Maya thatRancho de las Animasand Tajin, withtheirstrong
languagewas being spokenat Panuco at least as early connectionsto Teotihuacan,representthat break be-
as Ponce times. Since thereis culturalcontinuity from tweenthe Maya and Huastec in the centralVera Cruz
Ponce times until practicallyhistorictimes (i.e., the area that took place during Classic times by central
Panuco Period-Period VI of Ekholm) it seems likely Mexican invaders.
thatall theperiodsfromPonce to historictimerepresent In summarythen,thereseems to be some evidence
the materialremainsof people speakinga Maya lan- for advancing the hypothesisthat during Formative
guage. Furthermore, no periodslaterthanPonce show times there was a cultural area from the Peten to
manyresemblancesto thoseofthe Maya area. If, then, Panuco that was occupied by Maya-speakingpeoples,
the Ponce Period and the Mamom phase representthe and thatduringClassic timesin centralVera Cruz this
material remains of Maya-speakingpeoples and the culturearea was splitby invaders(possiblyTotonacs)
lower Tres Zapotes phases of southernVera Cruz are fromthe Valley of Mexico, and that, finally,during
archaeologicallyclosely related to these two archaeo- the Huastec and Maya peoples
the Militaristicstage,109
logical periods, it might be inferredthat the people became furtherseparated by the invasion from the
whose material remains compose the Lower Tres highlandsinto southernVera Cruz of the Soncautla
Zapotes phase spoke a Maya language. If this is true, complex (perhaps Nahuatl-speaking peoples).
108 Drucker,1943a. 109 Strong, 1943.

APPENDIX
A BRIEF DISCUSSION OF PRE-CLASSIC both wide everted lip bowls and flaring-sidedbowls
TRAITS IN MESO-AMERICA with flat bottoms,appears to be most popular in the
Having already overloaded my readers with pages Lower phase but carrieson in decreasingamountsinto
of chartsand descriptions, I decidedto relegateat least the Upper phase113 (see fig. 35). At Cerro de las
someof the drierdata of theconclusionto an appendix. Mesas, this vessel formis presentin minoramounts
The materialshere to be discussed and in part il- in Lower I and in even less amountsin Lower II.114
lustratedare the traits used in the seriation charts One featureof this vessel form,grooved or incised
(chart 10 and chart 12). I will not only describeand evertedinteriorlips (absent at Panuco), appears to be
illustratethe traitsand give their temporaland geo- shared by the early horizons both in southernVera
graphicalproveniencebut will also attemptto evaluate Cruz and in the Maya area, specificallyMamoim-i and
them. Benque Viejo Ia. This probablyis a good link be-
OvzerlappingCylindricalPunctate Decoration (see tween the two areas on the earliest horizons,but it
fig. 12, nos. 7-10).-This trait at presenthas little appears too specialized to be applicable to all Meso-
comparativevalue, occurringonly in the earliest pe- America. However, besides this special variant,the
riods of Panuco and being the only typeof decoration general formiis very popular in the Mamom115 and
in the Pavon Period. I have includedit in my chart Benque Viejo Ia 116phases. Afterthistimeit decreases
forthe reasonthatit shows a kindof decorationin use rapidly and is a minorityvessel form in Mountain
before that of incisingin the Panuco region, which Cow 1,117San Jose I,11" Benque Viejo Ib,119and at
fact suggests that for other parts of Meso-Amnerica Chicanel120 (see fig. 35, O-R). With the exception
theremaybe a pre-incisedpotteryperiod. of one pot fromHolmul 1, it appears to be absent in
Ollas the Dominant Vessel Form (see fig. 19).-In thislaterhorizon121 (see fig.35, AA). One sherdfrom
the earlylevels at Panuco, Pavon Period,"0 and at the the Charcas horizon of Guatemala which Shook sent
Mani Cenote of Yucatan,'ll ollas appear to be the meis ofthisvesselform. In regardto Honduras,cross-
donminant vesselform. Thus it is possiblethatnot only sections of sherds have not been publishedso these
are ollas the dominantvessel formin at least two very materialshave been leftout of figure35. However,the
earlyhorizons,but thatthe shape of the dominantollas imiajority of sherdsfromtheYojoa monochrome horizon
is the same. However, whetherthis trait is really seems to be from flaring-sided flat-bottomed bowls, for
significant or not must await additionaldata on other the authors state: "Of the 51 rim sherds, the great
earlyceramichorizons. majority have low slightlyflaringlips" while "the
Figurines Rare or Absent.-In the Pavon Period remaining30 basal sherds are all fromsmall flat-bot-
levelsof Panuco, onlythreesmallfragments of figurines tomed vessels."1
22 Flaring-sidedflat-bottomed bowls
were found. In themonochrome levels of Lake Yojoa, are not mentioned or illustrated as coming from the
Honduras figurineswere equally scarce.'"2 Figurines Ulua or Playa de los Muertos bichrome horizons, but
are evidentlyalso absentfromthe Mani Cenote mate- one pot fromburial five fromPlaya de los Muertos
Monte
rials,as Brainerdmadeno mentionofthemin his speech cxcavated by D. H. Popenoe is such.'23 At
at the InternationalCongressof Americanistsin New Alban in Periods I and II, vessels of this shape are
relatively frequent.124 This frequent occurrence, in
York in 1949. This negativetrait is, I believe,sig-
nificant,and futureexcavationswill no doubt test its vwhat I believe to be relatively late horizons, is rather
validity. All these last three traits mentionedabove sturprising, in the light of the fact that such vessel
of
are at present doubtful value owing to their limited forms are virtually absent in the Valley of Mexico.
occurrence,but in futureexcavationsand analysesthey However, in looking over sherds fromEl ArbolilloI
shouldbe keptin mind,fortheywell may be traitsof 113 Drucker,1943a: 138-142.
a stage still earlier than the Village Formativeor at 114 Drucker, 1943b: fig.38 & 42.
least traitsof the early part of the Village Formative 115Ricketson, 1937: fig. 147; R. E. Smith, 1936a.
116E. Thompson, 1942: fig. 4a-j.
Stage.
117 Thompson 1931: pl. L I.
Flaring-sidedFlat-bottomedBowls (see fig.35, no. 118 Thompson, 1939: fig.24r and 26i.
5).-Flaring-sided bowls,oftenwithan evertedlip and 119Thompson, 1942: fig. 5c-f.
a flatbottom,are foundat Panuco in the Pavon, Ponce, 120 Ricketson, 1937: fig. 158.
and Aguilar Periods. They have theirgreatestpopu- 121 Merwin and Vaillant, 1932: pl. 19.
larityin the earlypartof the Ponce Period (see fig.17, 122 Strong, Kidder, and Paul, 1938: 112.
no. 7-10). At Tres Zapotes this vessel form,called 123 Strong, Kidder, and Paul, 1938: fig. 17, K, and D. H.
Popenoe says of burial 5, " . .. close against the right side was
11 See this report fig. 19 and chart 5. a flatbicolor dish," in Popenoe, 1934: 70.
111Brainerd's paper at the International Congress of Ameri- 124 Caso, 1938: fig. 34, 1, 2 and 3 of the top row, fig. 37, top
canists, N. Y., 1949. row 4 and bottom row 5, fig. 37 top row 1 and bottom row 7
112 Strong, Kidder, and Paul, 1938: 114. and fig.41, no. 1.
626

VOL. 44, PT. 5, 1954] PRE-CLASSIC TRAITS IN MESO-AMERICA 627
( ?) I did finda thinwhiteslippedsherdthatconceivably HemisphericalBowl (with Flat-bottoms?) (see fig.
mightbe of the vessel formunder discussion (see fig. 35, no. 3).-This traitappearsto be a good timemarker
35, no. 24). One vessel fromGualupita (fig. 23, no. 6, for Village and Temple FormativeStages. The trait
Vaillant, 1934) is of this form,but the period is not does not appear in two of the earliest horizons,the
known.125 Yojoa monochromeand the Pavon Period of Panuco,
This trait,the frequentuse of the vessel form of and is absentin manyof the Proto-Classiccomponents.
flaring-sided flat-bottomedbowls, is, I believe,an im- At Panuco it is presentin the Ponce, Aguilar, and
portantearly trait. In most areas the use of such Chila horizons, being slightlymore popular in the
a vesselformappearsto beginveryearlyand itsgreatest Ponce Period. At Uaxactun it is mostfrequentin the
popularityseems to be in the earliesthorizons. Only Mamom phase but is still present in the Chicanel
in the Tres Zapotes and Monte Alban areas does the phase.135 It also appears in minor amounts in San
vessel formseem to persistintolaterhorizons. To me, Jose Ib.136 It is nowherementionedas belongingto
the virtualabsence of the vessel formin the Valley of the Holmul I horizon. At Tres Zapotes there is a
Mexico would seem to mean that even the earliest generaltendencyforthe bottomsof these bowls to be
horizons of that area are relativelynot as early as flatand large. The formappears as a minorityin all
Pre-Classic horizons from other areas. Of course, three horizons,Lower, Middle, and Upper phases.137
theremay be some regionalspecialization. In the Valley of Mexico, one small bowl of this shape
Outsloping Straight-sidedFlat-bottomedBowls or was foundin Zacatenco I,138 but bowls of this shape
Dishes (see fig. 35, no. 4).-This formis obviously seem fairly common in El Arbolillo I, II,139 and
relatedto one previouslydescribed. However,it seems Zacateno II.140 In Honduras,vessels of this formare
to have a slightlylongerlife even thoughit startedin illustratedfor the Playa de los Muertos horizon.]41
than
earlylevels. I considerit to have less significance They also are foundin bothMonteAlban I and II.142
the one previouslydescribed,thoughit is still a fairly Incurved-RimBowl (see fig.35, no. 2).-This vessel
good diagnosticof Pre-Classic ceramics. At Panuco formis no doubtrelatedto thehemispherical bowls,but
it startsin the Pavon Period, reaches its greatestfre- it has lesser chronologicalsignificancebecause of its
quence in Ponce timesand graduallydiminishes,dying random distributionand relativelyrare occurrenceat
out in the El Prisco Period.126 At Tres Zapotes, this any horizon. However,it appears to be a vessel form
vessel formis called a simplesilhouettedish and, while thatstartsearlyand shouldbe includedas a traitof any
appearingin boththe Upper and Lower phases, seems early stage. At Panuco the shape appears in the
to be mostpopularin the Middle phase.127 This vessel Ponce, Aguilar,Chila, and El Prisco Periods and may
formis presentat Cerro de las Mesas, but the temporal even be presentin the last part of the Pavon Period.
provenienceis notnoted. In the Maya area, outsloping At Tres Zapotes it is in the Lower, Middle,and Upper
straight-sidedflat-bottomedbowls or dishes are a phases.143 Related to this typeand furtherconnecting
minorityclass, appearingin the Mamom and Chicanel Lower Tres Zapotes of SouthernVera Cruz, and the
phases of Uaxactun,128and San Jose I; 129 one vessel Pavon, Ponce, and AguilarPeriodsof Panuco withthat
fromMountain Cow Ib (Holmul 1) 130 has a dish of of the Mamnomand Chicanel phases of Uaxactun are
thisformwithan effigy insidethe bowl. In Honduras incurved-rim bowls witha shortevertedlip. However,
this vessel formseems to be absent in the Ulua and since the traitis not wide-spread,I have not included
Playa de los Muertos bichromehorizons,131but may it in my charts.
be presentin theYojoa monochrome assemblage.132At
In the Maya area the incurved-rim bowl seems rare
Monte Alban the vessel formis popular in both the
at any period. From Benque Viejo Ia there is one
earliestperiods.133In the Valley of Mexico the only
example of this vessel formis to be foundin Middle doubtfulrim profilethat may belongto this kind of a
Zacatenco times,thoughI suspect an examinationof vessel,144while Ricketson illustratesa single bowl
materialsfromearlier horizons mightturn up a few fromthe Chicanel phase of Uaxactun.145 It is absent
of thesedishes.134 fromlaterhorizonsin thatarea. In Honduras onlyone
125Vaillant,1934. bichromepot,illustratedby Gordon,seemsto be of this
126See p. 585 of this publication.Also Ekholm,1944: fig. 135Ricketson,149a,b, e, f.
13,F. 136Thompson,1939: fig.25.
127 Drucker,1943: 135-142and fig.34a & b.
137 Drucker,1943a:
fig.31e,34c,38].
128 Ricketson,1937: fig.147,3 & 4; fig.158d. 138Vaillant,1930: pl. IIb.
129Thompson, 1939: fig. 26h. 139 Vaillant,1935: fig.21-3.
130 Thompson, 1932: P1. XLIV, pot in lowerleft-hand corner.
131 Strong,Kidder,and Paul, 1939.
140 Vaillant,1930: pl. V
n; IV e, f; VI i, j.
132 Strong,Kidder,and Paul, 1939. They mention vertical
141 Strong,
Kidder, and Paul, 1938: fig.18g,1.
142 Caso, 1938: 34,5; 35,7; 37,7; 39,5.
and "direct"rimsthatevidentlybelongto flat-bottomed bowls
143 Drucker,1943a: 138-142-called incurvedsided bowls in
or dishes,butclarification on thispointseemsnecessary.
133 Caso, 1938: fig.34, 2; fig.35, 2-3; fig.37, 3-5; fig.39, 4; thisreport.
144 Thompson, 1942: fig.4y.
fig.41, 2.
134 Vaillant,1930:
pl. VI g. 145 Ricketson,1937: 156d.

lA B C D E t G H I J K L M N 0 P Q R S T
2 A 8 C D t F 0 H 1 J K L M N 0 P
%X 7IJ
3
p%&\K
A B c D E F G H I J K L M N
Lx.\"ss'k;'\.':
0 P Q R S T U V W X Y z AA 88 CC
4 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N
5 A
\\\ NW
\\NxNX\' tW B C D E f G H K L M N O P O R
S T u v w x Y Z AA BB CC DD EE FF
FIG. 35.
1. Early ollas withflaringneck,globularbody,and flator flat- (D) E. B. Ricketson, 1937,fig.156al. ChicanelPhase at

tenedbottoms. Uaxactun.
(A) E. B. Ricketson,1937,fig.147bl. MamomPhase at (E) Drucker,1943a,fig.28D. Tres Zapotes,Vera Cruz.
Uaxactun. (F) Drucker,1943a,fig.28f. Tres Zapotes,Vera Cruz.
(B) E. B. Ricketson,1937,fig.147a5. MamomPhase at (G) This report,fig.17,no. 53. Early periodsat Panuco.
Uaxactun. (H) This report,fig.17,no. 58. Early periodsat Panuco.
(C) E. B. Ricketson,1937,fig. 148c. MamomPhase at (I) This report,fig.17,no. 57. Early periodsat Panuco.
Uaxactun. (J) This report,fig.17,no. 63. Early periodsat Panuco.

(K) This report,fig. 17, no. 64. Early periods at Panuco. (Z) This report,no. 13 of fig. 17. Panuco.
(L) G. C. Vaillant, 1930,pl. Iz. Early Zacatenco. (AA) This report,no. 14 of fig. 17. Panuco.
(M) G. C. Vaillant, 1930, pl. Id'. Early Zacatenco. (BB) This report,no. 38 of fig. 17. Panuco.
(N) G. C. Vaillant, 1930, pl. Iv. Early Zacatenco. (CC) Vaillant, 1930, pl. Vn. Middle Zacatenco.
(0) G. C. Vaillant,1930,pl. VIIg'. Late Zacatenco.
(P) G. C. Vaillant, 1930, pl. VIIp'. Late Zacatenco. 4. Outsloping straight-sided,flat-bottomedbowls or dishes.
(Q) G. C. Vaillant, 1931, pl. LXIXo. Ticoman. (A) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 147d3. Mamom Phase of Ua-
(R) Caso, 1938, fig. 37, upper row second on the left. xactun.
Monte Alban II. (B) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 147d4. Mamom Phase of Ua-
(S) Caso, 1938, fig. 37, upper row second on the left. xactun.
Monte Alban II. (C) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 158d. Chicanel Phase of Ua-
(T) El Prisco pot from 1949 excavations at Laguna Tor- xactun.
tuga, northof Panuco, Vera Cruz. (D) Thompson, 1939, fig. 26h. San Jose I.
(E) Thompson, 1931, pl. XLIV, lower left. Mountain
2. Incurved rim bowls. Cow lb, Homul I.
(A) J. E. Thompson, 1942, fig. 4y. Benque Viejo la. (F) This report,no. 1 of fig. 17. Panuco.
(B) E. B. Ricketson, 1937, fig. 156d. Chicanel phase at (G) This report,no. 2 of fig. 17. Panuco.
Uaxactun. (H) This report,no. 3 of fig. 17. Panuco.
(C) Drucker, 1943a, fig. 31f. Tres Zapotes. (I) This report,no. 4 of fig. 17. Panuco.
(D) Drucker, 1943, fig. 31g. Tres Zapotes. (J) This report,no. 6 of fig. 17. Panuco.
(E) This report,fig. 17, no. 15, early periods at Panuco. (K) Drucker, 1943a, fig. 34b. Tres Zapotes.
(F) This report,fig. 17, no. 16, early periods at Panuco. (L) Drucker, 1943a, fig. 34a. Tres Zapotes.
(G) This report,fig. 17, no. 17, early periods at Panuco. (M) Vaillant, 1930, pl. VIg. Middle Zacatenco.
(H) Ekholm, 1944, fig.5a'. El Prisco Period. (N) Caso, 1938, fig.41, no. 2. Monte Alban II.
(I) Ekholm, 1944, fig. 5z. El Prisco Period.
(J) Vaillant, 1930, pl. IIh. Early Zacatenco. 5. Outflaring-sidedflatbottomedbowls.
(K) Vaillant, 1930, p1. Ilii. Early Zacatenco. (A) Drucker, 1943, fig.20a. Tres Zapotes.
(L) Vaillant, 1934, fig.20k. Gualupita I. (B) Drucker, 1943, fig.20j. Tres Zapotes.
(M) Vaillant, 1934, fig. 20i. Gualupita I. (C) Drucker, 1943, fig. 20i. Tres Zapotes.
(N) Vaillant, 1934, fig. 20e. Gualupita I. (D) Drucker, 1943, fig.20d. Tres Zapotes.
(0) Caso, 1938, fig.39, no. 6. Monte Alban II. (E) Drucker, 1943, fig.20g. Tres Zapotes.
(P) Caso, 1938, fig.39, no. 10. Monte Alban II. (F) Drucker, 1943, fig.31b. Tres Zapotes.
(Q) Reconstructionof vessel fromlevel 19, Ponce Period, (G) Drucker, 1943, fig.38c. Tres Zapotes.
at VC-2, Panuco, Vera Cruz. (H) Drucker, 1943, fig. 38f. Tres Zapotes.
(I) Caso, 1938, fig.34, no. 3. Monte Alban I.
3. Hemispherical bowls. (J) Caso, 1938, fig. 37, no. 10. Collections of Am. Mus.
(A) Vaillant, 1930, pl. IIb. Early Zacatenco. of Natural History, N. Y. El Arbolillo.
(B) Vaillant, 1930, pl. Vl. Middle Zacatenco. (L) Drucker, 1943b,fig.38. Cerro de las Mesas.
(C) Vaillant, 1935, fig. 21-3. Middle El Arbolillo. (M) Drucker, 1943b, fig. 42. Cerro de las Mesas.
(D) Vaillant, 1930, pl. VIj. Early Zacatenco. (N) This report,no. 7 of fig. 17. Panuco.
(E) Drucker, 1943b, fig. 18. Cerro de las Mesas. (0) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 153a. Chicanel Phase of Ua-
(F) Drucker, 1943b, fig. 20. Cerro de las Mesas. xactun.
(G) Drucker, 1943b, fig. 14. Cerro de las Mesas. (P) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 153b. Chicanel Phase of Ua-
(H) Drucker, 1943b, fig.21. Cerro de las Mesas. xactun.
(I) Strong, Kidder and Paul, 1939, fig. 181. Playa de (Q) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 153c. Chicanel Phase of Ua-
los Muertos. xactun.
(J) Strong, Kidder and Paul, 1939, fig. 18g. Playa de (R) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 153e. Chicanel Phase of Ua-
los Muertos. xactun.
(K) Caso, 1938,fig. 34, no. 5. Monte Alban I. (S) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 147dl. Mamom Phase of Ua-
(L) Caso, 1938, fig.35, no. 7. Monte Alban I. xactun.
(M) Caso, 1938, fig.37, no. 7. Monte Alban II. (T) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 147d2. Mamom Phase of Ua-
(N) Caso, 1938, fig.39, no. 5. Monte Alban II. xactun.
(0) E. D. Ricketson, 1937, fig. 149a. Mamom Phase of (U) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 147d5. Mamom Phase of Ua-
Uaxactun. xactun.
(P) E. D. Ricketson, 1937, fig. 149b. Mamom Phase of (V) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 147d6. Mamom Phase of Ua-
Uaxactun. xactun.
(Q) E. D. Ricketson, 1937, fig. 149e. Chicanel Phase of (W) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 157c. Chicanel Phase of Ua-
Uaxactun. xactun.
(R) E. D. Ricketson, 1937, fig. 149f. Chicanel Phase of (X) Thompson, 1939, fig.24r. San Jose I.
Uaxactun. (Y) Thompson, 1939, fig.26i. San Jose I.
(S) Thompson, 1939, fig.25r. San Jose I. (Z) Thompson, 1931, pl. LI. Mountain Cow la.
(T) Thompson, 1939, fig.25p. San Jose I. (AA) Vaillant and Merwin, 1932, pl. 19. Holmul I.
(U) Thompson, 1939, fig.25n. San Jose I. (BB) This report,no. 10 of fig. 17.
(V) Drucker, 1943a, fig. 31e. Tres Zapotes. (CC) This report,no. 8 of fig. 17.
(W) Drucker, 1943a, fig. 34c. Tres Zapotes. (DD) This report,no. 9 of fig. 17.
(X) Drucker, 1943a, fig. 38i. Tres Zapotes. (EE) This report,no. 5 of fig. 17.
(Y) Drucker, 1943a, fig. 38j. Tres Zapotes. (FF) Strong, Kidder, and Paul, 1938, fig. 17, K.

vessel form.146In the Valley of Mexico, incurved-rim sub-type2-slipped and polishedorange-redto brown
bowlsare foundin all periods,thoughtheyappearto be ware) and in the Ulua Bichromehorizonsbut appears
mostnumerousin MiddleZacatencotimes.147At Monte to be diminishing in the latterperiod.153
Alban thisformappearsin Periods I and JJ.148 Red ware appears to be presentin all the early pe-
Flaring-neckedGlobular-bodiedFlat-bottomedOllas riods in the Valley of Mexico, being at El ArbolilloI
(see fig.no. 1).-Of the variousvesselformsappearing and II,154 Zacatenco J, II, III 155 (called russet ware
early,thisis the least significant,forthesestoragejars, and polishedred), and at Ticoman (red groupvarieties,
oftenwitha coarse paste and scratchedsurface,appear polishedred,and dull red).156 It also appearsin Monte
in all periods throughoutMeso-America. This form Alban I & II in minoramounts.157
is includedin mychartas its use appears to beginvery Monochrome White Ware.-Like the trait mono-
early and because it is an important(oftendominant) chromered ware,thistraithas weak and strongpoints
vesselformthatmustbe includedin anyearlycomplexes for about the same reasons. At Panuco white wares
of traitsor vessel forms. I will not botherto note its are dominantin the Pavon, Ponce, Aguilar,and Chila
distributionand I believe figure35, no. 1 A-T will Periods and die out early in the El Prisco Period.
be as instructive as any wordydiscussionof it. There is a generaltendencyfor a whiteslip gradually
Incised Decoration.-This traitis of limitedvalue but to replace a white wash, and for a larger tempered
appearsto startearly,thoughit is lackingin the Pavon coarse paste to replace a fine temperedcoarse paste.
and Yojoa Monochromehorizons. It appears to be At Tres Zapotes,brownware witha whiteslip is found
presentin almosteveryearlycultureexceptthesetwo. in the Lower, Middle,and Upper phases.158 From my
On the basis of presentdata and reportsavailable the cursoryobservationit appears thereis a generaltend-
traitis almostworthless,but I believea thoroughstudy encyfortheslip to get betterfromearlyto late. In the
of decorationtechnique (post- or pre-firing incising) Valley of Mexico, whiteware appears in all phases of
and designelementsmightbe veryworthwhile. El Arbolilloand Zacatenco,being slightlymore preva-
MonochromeRed Wares.-This traitis weak in that lentin theearlierstagesthanthe laterones. Both thin
the pastes of red ware sherdsfromthe various areas slipped (washed) and thickslippedappear.159 At Ti-
are ratherdifferent.Whetherthe red surfaceis made coman,whitewares are found,thoughtheyare rather
bya thinwash,red slip,or red paintis usuallynotnoted different fromthoseof theearlierperiod.160At Uaxac-
in the reports,and in the few sherdsof early horizons tun,monochrome whiteware is veryrare. R. E. Smith
I have seen all threevariantsappear. However, red has statedthat such does not occur in Mamom nor in
monochromewares are presenteverywhereearly,and Chicaneldeposits,but Ricketsonlistssome whitewares
I believe that the exclusive use of red surfacing,or as comingfromUaxactun lb, whichis roughlythesame
near-exclusiveuse of red surfacing(monochromewhite as theChicanelPeriod of Smith.161Thompsonrecords
or black also appearing), and the lack of bichromeor sherdsfromSan Jose I, roughlycorrelatedwith Chi-
polychromepainting,frescodecoration,negativepoint- canel, as rangingfrom"lightbuffto old ivory"which
ing etc., make this a significanttrait in the earlier approximateswhite wares.162 Even so, this trait of
stagesin Middle America. monochrome whiteware,foundin so manyearlyMeso-
At Panuco, monochromered paintingappears in the Americanceramiccongeries,seemsto be strangelylack-
Ponce and Pavon Periods on some of the Heavy Plain ing or in a definiteminority in the Maya region. Fur-
sherds,while in Chila and Aguilar timesit is not only ther south, the Yojoa Monochromehorizon has two
on Heavy Plain sherdsbut also on Aguilar Red. At sherdsof dull whiteslip or wash,163while ware "with
Tancol of El Prisco times, it appears to be absent, a chalkywhitewash" is notedin thePlaya de los Muer-
while at the El Prisco site and levels 13-17 of the tos Bichromehorizon.'64White wares are not notedat
Pavon sitea smallproportionof miscellaneousred ware Santa Rita in the Ulua Bichromehorizon. At Monte
sherdsappear.149In Lower Tres Zapotes,brownware Alban in Periods I and II, a white slipped ware is
with a red slip is a minorityware whichcontinueson found165 which Caso believes to be similar to Chila
intoMiddle and Upper Tres Zapotes in about the same White.'66
amounts.150At Uaxactun, red ware is veryimportant 153Strong, Kidder,and Paul, 1938.
in boththe Chicaneland MamomPeriods151 and is also 154 Vaillant,1935: 222.
presentin Holmul I Period.152 155 Vaillant,1930.
156 Vaillant,1931: 343.
In the Bay Island regionof Honduras, red ware is 157 Caso, 1938.
found in the Yojoa, Playa de los Muertos (there called 158 Drucker,1943a.
146 Gordon,1898: pl. VII m. 59Vaillant,1935: 227; Vaillant,1930: 32, 40, 56.
147
Vaillant,1930: pl. IIi, pl. IVf, pl. Vm; Vaillant,1931: 160 Vaillant,1931: 288,289.
pl. LXXVIIIe. 161 Ricketson, 1937: 251.
148 Caso, 1938: fig.37. 162 Thompson,1939: 85.
149 Ekholm,1944. 163 Strong,Kidderand Paul, 1931: 113.
150Drucker,1943a: 138-142. 164 Strong,Kidderand Paul, 1931: 73.
151 Ricketson,1937; Smith,1936. 165 Caso, 1938.
152 Merwinand Vaillant,1932. 166 Ekholm,1944.

MonochromeBlack Ware (Reduced Firing Atmos- tiveStage,seemsto be morecharacteristic oftheTemple
phere).-Superficially,this traitappears to be similar FormativeStage, at whichtimeit is verypopular. At
to monochrome red and monochrome whiteand of equal Panuco this kind of vessel firstappears in the Ponce
significance.Actually,the traitis much more impor- Period, reachesdominancein the Aguilar Period, and
tantthaneitherof the othersforit not onlyhas a fairly then gradually diminishesthroughthe Chila and El
well definedtemporalposition,but is a traitcomposed Prisco Periods. At Uaxactun, in the Pre-Classic
of a complex of other features. Monochromeblack times compositesilhouettebowls appear to be' absent.
ware not only has a highlypolishedblack surfacebut However, at Benque Viejo Ia and Ib this formseems
has been firedin a well controlledreducingatmosphere. to be present,being slightlymore popular in Benque
It is oftenfairlythinand in manycases bears engraved Viejo Ib than in the previousperiod.172The formis
(post-firingincised) decoration. In many areas this also presentin San Jose I 173 and in Holmul I period
early black ware, with engraveddecorationfiredin a at both Holmul174 and Mountain Cow.175 In Hon-
well controlledreducingatmosphere,develops into a duras this kind of compositesilhouettebowl is present
brownish-blackware, either not fired in a reducing in the Playa de los Muertos horizon,'76while at Tres
atmosphereor in a poorlycontrolledatmosphereand Zapotes the formis presentin the Lover, Middle, and
lacking engraved decoration. Monochromeblack is Upper phases.177
absentfromwhat seems to be the earliesthorizons,the In the Valley of Mexico, this vessel formis present
Pavon Period of Panuco and the Yojoa Monochrome in all Pre-Classic horizons.178 At Monte Alban this
horizon of Honduras. At Panuco the Ponce Black formis in bothPeriods I and II, thoughin verysmall
typeis mainlyconfinedto the Ponce and Aguilar Pe- amounts.179
riods,thoughappearingin minoramountsin the Chila Small Human-faceEffigyJars.-This peculiarvessel
Period. This type appears to develop into the El form seemsto be a good Village FormativeStage diag-
Prisco Black typeof the El Prisco Period whichhas a nostic. At Panuco, sherds of small human-facedeffi-.
coarser,more compactpaste and was firedin a very gies are foundin thePonce,Aguilar,and Chila deposits.
poorly controlledreducingatmosphereso that sherds They are veryrarein Chila Period levels,onlyone frag-
range fromred to black in color,thoughthe dominant ment being found. At Tres Zapotes, vessels of this
color is black.167 The similarityof the black ware at formappear confinedto the earliestperiod180 but at
Tres Zapotes to that of Ponce Black has alreadybeen Uaxactun theyappearin boththe Mamomand Chicanel
commentedon. At Tres Zapotes Black ware appears phases.181 In theValley of Mexico, smallhuman-faced
in the Lower, Middle, and Upper horizons.168The effigiesare confinedto Zacatenco I 182 and Early and
black ware sherds from Mamom and Chicanel that Middle Arbolillo.183 At Monte Alban theyseem to be
R. E. Smith sent me are exceedinglysimilarto both lacking,whilein Hondurashumaneffigy vessels,though
usually quite ornate, are found in the Playa de los
thosein the earlylevels at Panuco and Tres Zapotes in
Muertoshorizon.'84
that they were firedin a reducingatmosphere,have
UnbridgedSpouted Vessels.-This traitis of doubt-
minutetemper,a porous paste,a highlypolishedblack
ful value for determiningsub-divisionsof the Pre-
surface,and bear engraveddecorations. Holmul I ap-
Classic but contrastsrather well with later Classic
parentlylacksthisblackware. In theValleyof Mexico,
bridgedspoutedvessels. The traitis also questionable
the early and middle periods of El Arbollilo169 and in thatit has
a spottydistribution and seems to have a
Zacatenco170 have finelytemperedpotteryfiredin a southernratherthan a northerndistribution.At Pa-
reducingatmospherewhichis polishedblack and bears nuco thesevessel formsappear to be absentunless the
engraveddecoration. Like Panuco,thelate Pre-Classic cylindrical objectfromthePonce Period is partof such.
periods of the Valley of Mexico, late Zacatenco and I ratherdoubt that it is. Spouted vessels are absent
Ticoman see the transitionof the earlyblack ware into from the Valley of Mexico (Cholula I excepted).
black-brownwares which have large temper,poorly MonteAlban also seemsto be withoutthisform. How-
controlledfiringand surfacesrangingfrombrown to ever, they are found in Lower and Middle Tres Za-
black.171 Playa de los Muertos, Ulua bichromeand
172 Thompson, 1942: fig.4h,5e, c, g.
MonteAlban I and II horizonshave black wares which 173 Thompson, 1939: fig.28b,c, d.
bear engraveddecoration,but whetheror not theywere 174 Merwin&
Vaillant,1932: pl. 18b.
firedin a reducingatmosphereis not stated. 175 Thompson, 1931: pl. XLI.
Flaring to Straight-sidedBowls seith Convex Bot- 176 Strong,
Kidder,and Paul, 1938: fig.17kand 1.
toms (Composite SilhouetteBowls) (see fig. 36, no. 177Drucker,1943a: 32a, d; 34e; 38.
178 Vaillant,1930.
4).-This trait,thoughstartingin the Village Forma- 179 Caso, 1938: 34, 3; 37, 5; 39, 9.
167 Ekholm,1944: 345. 180Drucker, 1943a: 142.

168 Drucker,1943a: 59-69. 181 Ricketson,1937: 214-215,pl. 76.
169 Vaillant,1935: 223. 182 Vaillant,1930: pl. XVI bottomrow4.
170Vaillant, 1930: 32. 183
Vaillant,1935: fig.14,20-22,MiddleArbolillo.
l71 Vaillant,1931: 286-287. 184 Strong,Kidder,and Paul, 1938: fig.18.

1 A B C D
F w H I . K L M
2 A B C D E F G H
I J K L N4 R s T U
3A B C 0 D E F G K L M
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N 0 P
4
Q R S T U V W X Y Z AA BB CC DD EE FF GG NH 11
FIG. 36.
1. Incised (and punctated) thickened lips with horizontal ex- (F) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 159d. Chicanel Phase of Ua-
ternal projections. xactun.
(A) Strong, Kidder, and Paul, 1939, pl. lQh. Playa de (G) Thompson, 1939, fig.24o. San Jose I.
los Muertos. (H) Thompson, 1939, fig.24p. San Jose I.
(B) Strong, Kidder, and Paul, 1939, pl. 9i. Ulua bi- (I) This report. Aguilar Period see fig. 15, 7-9.
chrome. (J) From Chila Period mentionedin this reportbut spzci-
(C) Strong, Kidder, and Paul, 1939, pl. 9n. Ulua bi- men in the collections of the National Museum of
chrome. Mexico.
(D) Weiant, 1943, fig. 39. Middle (?) Tres Zapotes. (K) Ekholm, 1944, fig. 28-s. Tancol complex of early El
(E) Weiant, 1943, fig.42c. Middle (?) Tres Zapotes. Prisco.

VOL. 44, PT. 5, 19541 PRE-CLASSIC TRAITS IN MESO-AMERICA 633
potes185 and theMamomand ChicanelPhases ofUaxac- the early horizons. At present,the figurinesituation
tun,186and are abundantin the Playa de los Muertos is somewhatconfusing,for illustrationsusually do not
bichromehorizonsof Honduras.187 show cross-sections,the paste of figurinesis not men-
Pierced and UnpiercedPotsherd Discs.-They ap- tioned,size is oftennot indicated,and the terminology
pear in all Pre-Classichorizons. The traitis of doubt- is sometimesconfusingfor alphabeticenumerationhas
of
ful value except that it seems to be a characteristic been used for differentfigurinetypesof various areas
the Formativeand to have begunearly. It appears to (for example,see Vaillant's Type C for the Valley of
be replaced by spindle whorls in Classic and later Mexico, Ekholm's Type C for Panuco, and Drucker's
periods. Type C forTres Zapotes).
Figurines.-Figurinesare perhapsthe mostsensitive Specificresemblancesto the Panuco figurineshave
to culturalchange and areal specializationof any Pre- been mentionedearlyin thisreport. I am not qualified
Classic class of artifacts. An intensivestudyof Pre- to analyze other Middle Americanfigurinesat such a
Classic figurines,not unlikethatwhichHay and Vail- specificlevel. The best I can do is to mentionsome
lant did for the Valley of Mexico twentyyears ago, I broad generalities about Meso-American figurines,
believemightbe veryprofitable and perhapsmaybe the based on my rathersuperficialobservations.
best way of correlatingthevariousperiodsor phases of Generallyspeaking,two major classes of figurines
185 Drucker,1943a. seem to have chronologicalimplications. The earlier
186 Ricketson, 1937. one of thesethatseemsto be moreor less characteristic
187 Strong, Kidder, and Paul, 1938: fig. 18 and pl. 10. of the Village Formativeand earlypart of the Temple
(L) Vaillant, 1930, pl. IIe. Early Zacatenco. (G) Thompson, 1939, fig.22g. San Jose I.
(M) Vaillant, 1930, pl. Ild. Early Zacatenco. (H) Thompson, 1939, fig.22n. San Jose I.
(I) Thompson, 1939, fig. 221. San Jose I.
2. Small vessel feet. (J) Vaillant, 1930, pl. Ie. Early Zacatenco.
(A) Vaillant, 1935, fig. 19, no. 1. El Arbolillo I. (K) Vaillant, 1934, fig. 18g'. Gualupita I.
(B) Vaillant, 1930, pl. Vb. Middle Zacatenco. (L) Vaillant, 1934, fig. 18j. Gualupita I.
(C) Vaillant, 1930, pl. IVq. Middle Zacatenco. (M) Vaillant, 1931, pl. LXIXx. Ticoman.
(D) Vaillant, 1930, pl. VIlIe. Late Zacatenco.
(E) Strong, Kidder, and Paul, 1939. Reconstructionfrom 4. Outflaringside composite silhouette.
pl. 10, Playa de los Muertos. (A) Vaillant, 1930, pl. Ih. Early Zacatenco.
(F) Caso, 1938, fig. 35, no. 4. Monte Alban I. (B) Vaillant, 1930, pl. Im. Early Zacatenco.
(G) Caso, 1938, fig. 35, no. 6. Monte Alban I. (C) Vaillant, 1930, pl. IIo. Early Zacatenco.
(H) Vaillant, 1930, pl. Va. Middle Zacatenco. (D) Vaillant, 1930, pl. IVp. Middle Zacatenco.
(I) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 153a.-According to R. E. Smith (E) Vaillant, 1930, fig.20m. Gualupita I.
Chicanel Phase of Uaxactun. (F) Vaillant, 1930, pl. IVd. Middle Zacatenco.
(J) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 153d.-According to R. E. Smith (G) Vaillant, 1930, pl. VIIId. Late Zacatenco.
Chicanel Phase of Uaxactun. (H) Vaillant, 1931, pl. LXXIId. Ticoman.
(K) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 153h.-According to R. E. Smith (I) Vaillant, 1931, pl. LXXIIlm. Ticoman.
Chicanel Phase of Uaxactun. (J) Caso, 1938, fig.39, no. 9. Monte Alban II.
(L) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 153i.-According to R. E. Smith (K) Caso, 1938, fig.34, no. 4. Monte Alban I.
Chicanel Phase of Uaxactun. (L) Caso, 1938, fig.37, no. 5. Monte Alban II.
(M) See fig. 14, 6 of this report. Aguilar and Chila (M) Ekholm, 1944, fig. 5R. El Prisco Period.
Periods of Panuco. (N) Ekholm, 1944, fig. 5N. El Prisco Period.
(N) See fig. 14, 10 of this report. Aguilar and Chila (0) Ekholm, 1944, fig. 4F. Chila Period.
Periods of Panuco. (P) Vaillant, 1930, pl. VIh. Middle Zacatenco.
(0) See fig. 14, 3 of this report. Aguilar Period of (Q) Thompson, 1945, fig. 4h. Benque Viejo la.
Panuco. (R) Thompson, 1945, fig. 5e. Benque Viejo lb.
(P) Ekholm, 1944, fig. 4. Chila Period of Panuco. (S) Thompson, 1945, fig. 5c. Benque Viejo lb.
(Q) Ekholm, 1944, fig. 5u. El Prisco Period of Panuco. (T) Thompson, 1945, fig. 5g. Benque Viejo lb.
(R) Ekholm, 1944, fig. 5x. El Prisco Period of Panuco. (U) Thompson, 1942, fig. 28d. San Jose I.
(S) Drucker, 1943a, fig. 17j. Middle Tres Zapotes or (V) Thompson, 1942, fig. 28c. San Jose I.
later. (W) Thompson, 1942, fig. 28b. San Jose I.
(T) Drucker, 1943a, fig. 17a. Middle Tres Zapotes or (X) Drucker, 1943a, fig. 38p. Tres Zapotes.
later. (Y) Drucker, 1943a, fig. 38o. Tres Zapotes.
(U) Drucker, 1943a, fig. 30c. Middle Tres Zapotes or (Z) Drucker, 1943a, fig. 32d. Tres Zapotes.
later. (AA) Drucker, 1943a, fig. 34e. Tres Zapotes.
(BB) Drucker, 1943a, fig. 32a. Tres Zapotes.
3. Handles. (CC) This report,no. 4 of fig. 17. Ponce to Chila.
(A) See fig. 16 of this report. Aguilar, Chila and El (DD) This report,no. 2 of fig. 17. Ponce to Chila.
Prisco. (EE) This report,no. 7 of fig. 17. Ponce to Chila.
(B) See fig. 16 of this report. Mainly Chila. (FF) This report,no. 12 of fig. 17. Ponce to Chila.
(C) Ekholm, 1944, fig.4G'. Chila. (GG) This report,no. 8 of fig. 17. Ponce to Chila.
(D) Ekholm, 1944, fig.4T. Chila and El Prisco. (HH) This report,no. 9 of fig. 17. Ponce to Chila.
(E) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 152f. Mamon Phase. (II) Reconstructed vessel form from level 9. Aguilar.
(F) Ricketson, 1937, fig. 152d. Mamon Phase. Period at VC-2, Panuco.

FormativeStage has a series of recognizablefeatures. examples of it. It appears only rarelyin Chila and
These figurines are largein size (heads over 11/2inches Aguilartimes. In the late levels of the Ponce Period,
tall) and are solid and hand modelled. The paste,gen- onlyone figurine, a varietyof the puffedcheekedtype,
erallyspeaking,is coarse; lips are appliquedand noses is even vaguelysimilar. At Tres Zapotes, the typeis
roughlytriangular. The eyes are the most distinctive mainlyin the Middle and Late horizons,thoughsome
feature,beingtwo roughlylens-shapedimpressionswith of theType A in the Lower phase seemto fallintothis
a large central punctation. The lens-shapedimpres- class. Generallyspeaking at Tres Zapotes some of
sionsappear to have beenmade by impressingisosceles- Type A, B, F, and D 195 and at Cerro de las Mesas,
triangularshapedobjectsintotheclay withtheirapexes G and H, belongto thisclass.196 In theValley of Mex-
pointingin opposite directionsand more deeply im- ico,I considermostofthevariantsof Types C, A, E, H,
pressed than theirbases. The bases overlap,and the and I, remainingfrom Early Zazatenco to Ticoman
same axis of the trianglescontinuesthrougheach of times,to belongto this class.197
them. The largeperforation has its centerat thejunc- Handles, Loop, Strap, and Otherwise(fig. 36, 3).-
tion of the bases of the trianglesand theirmain axis, In at least three areas of Meso-Americathere is a
and the edge of the centralperforation is roughlytan- tendencyforloop handlesto appear beforedouble loop
gentto the ends of the bases of the triangles. and straphandles. At Panuco handlesof any sort are
Figurinesof thisgeneralclass are to be foundin the absent from the Pavon Period and only one very
Mamomphase of Uaxactun.188This also is the kindof doubtfulhandle appeared in the Ponce Period. How-
figurinesfound in the Ponce Period at Panuco (see ever,in the Aguilar Period loop handlesare definitely
fig.21). At Tres Zapotes, the Type C figurinesand presentand theycontinuethroughtheEl Prisco Period.
some of the Type A, predominant in the Lower phase, Double loop handles and strap handles do not begin
appear to belong to this class.189 In Honduras this untilthe Chila Period and fromcollectionsI have seen
seems to be the type of figurineassociated with the in the Huasteca it appears thatall threekindscontinue
Playa de los Muertoshorizon190and possiblywiththe into El Prisco times. In the Valley of Mexico, Early
Yojoa Monochromehorizon.191In the Valley of Mex- Zacatenco and El Arbolillo have loop handles, often
ico, onlythe earlyZacatencoDi typesappear to belong with finger-like incisionsat the junctionof the handle
to this class.192 Some of the Type A variantsfrom and lip ofthevessel. These continuethroughTicoman
varioussitesin the Valley of Mexico may also fall into times.'98
this class.193 Many of the figurinesfromEl Salvador In Middle Arbolillo199 and Gualupita I,200 two ex-
that I inspectedat the AmericanMuseum of Natural amples of double loop handles are illustrated,while
Historyin New York also seem to be of thisclass. straphandlesdo not appear untilTicoman times.201
The second generalclass is generallylater than the In the Maya area, loop handlesappear in the Mamon
first,being presentin Temple Formativeand Proto- phase 202 and evidentlycontinue through Homul I
Classic horizons. In someareas, particularly the Maya, times.203Chicanel handles have not been noted but
this class (and all otherclasses) seems to be absentin probablyexist as double loop, and straphandlesare to
thelate FormativePeriod. The class itselfis moredif- be foundin the temporalequivalentsat San Jose I 204
ficultto describe. Generallyspeaking,heads are small and Benque Viejo lb.205.
(under 11/2inchestall), the paste is compactand sur- Differentkinds of handles in otherparts of Mexico
faces are oftenpolished. All are hand modelled and have a ratherspottydistribution, and handles do not
usually are solid (though hollow ones may appear). seem numerous. At Tres Zapotes, handlesare absent
The eyes are usuallylike an invertedwide V. An eye fromthe Lower phase whileloop handlesoccurin both
maybe madebyjust two ellipticalpunctates,bothpoint- the Upper and Middle phases.206 No straphandlesor
ing downwardin opposite directions,or may have a double loop handles are found, though one twisted
single round punctationat the apex betweenthe two tripleloop handle was foundin Middle Tres Zapotes
ellipticalpunctatespointingdownwardin oppositedi- deposits.207Handles are absent at La Venta.208 At
rections. This second class is not so uniformor dis- Monte Alban, there seems to be one strap handle in
tinctiveas the earlyclass. Perhaps regionalspecializa- 195 Drucker,1943a: 78-80.
tion is greateron this laterhorizon. 196Drucker, 1943b: 63-64.
At Panuco thisclass of figurinesis mainlyin the El 197Vaillant, 1930; Vaillant, 1931.
Prisco Period194 and Types A, B, and C are verygood 198 Vaillant,1930:
pl. Ic.
199 Vaillant, 1935: 22,6 or p. 221.
188 Ricketson,1937: pl. 73. 200Vaillant, 1934: fig. 18].
189 Drucker,1943a: pl. 26 and 35. 201 Vaillant,1931: pl. LXIXx.
190Gordon,1898: pl. Xa, b, c, d, h, and i. 202 Ricketson,
1937: fig.152.
191Strong,Kidder,and Paul, 1938: pl. 15e. 203Vaillantand Mervin,1932.
192
Vaillant,1930: pl. XVIII, top row 3 and 5, bottomrow 204 Thompson,1939: fig.22.
4 and pl. XIX, top row 7. 205 Thompson,1942: fig.5.
193 Vaillant,1930: pl. XXI, thirdrow 4 and 8, bottomrow 206Drucker, 1943a: 42.
1, 4 and 5. 207 Drucker,1943a: 56.
194 Ekholm,1944: 436-459. 208 Drucker,1947.

MonteAlban I, butmyinformation is based onlyon the sel feetare absentin the Yojoa Monochromehorizon,
illustratedmaterials.209In Honduras,handlesare lack- but shortsolid nubbinfeetappear in boththe Playa de
ing in the Yojoa Monochromehorizons,210 while loop los Muertosand Ulua Bichromehorizons.22'At Monte
and strap handles appear in the Playa de los Muertos Alban, shortsolid ( ?) conical and shortbulbous feet
horizons,21'and only strap handles in the Ulua Bi- are presentalong with larger bulbous feet in Monte
chromehorizon.212 Alban I. The short varieties are absent in Monte
Generallyspeaking,I considerhandles to be fairly Alban II.222
good time markers,being characteristic of the Temple Incised Thickened Lips with Exterior Horizontal
Formativeand Proto-ClassicPeriod. The occurrence Projections (fig. 36, 1).-This traitis composedof a
of loop handlesin the Mamom phase leads me to con- seriesof interrelated features. It has definitethickened
clude that they were inventedin that general region. lip, oftensomewhateverted,incisingon the top of the
Small TripodFeet (fig.36, 2).-This traitI consider lip (oftenwithdots), and thelip has a seriesof scallops
to be a good timemarkerand its absence a diagnostic or projectionsthatprotrudehorizontallyoutwardfrom
of the Village FormativePeriod. As shall be shown, thecenterofthevessel. Generallyspeaking,it is similar
thereis considerableregionalvariationin the firstkind to and perhaps developedfromthe wide evertedlips
of feet that appear in the various regions,but all are thatbear incising. However,it is definitely a different
small and are tripod supports. In some areas early trait. It appears to be a traitnot likelyto be invented
typescontinueon intolaterperiods,but generallysmall twiceand is a diagnosticof the Temple FormativePe-
tripod feet are diagnosticof the Temple Formative riod. In the Maya area it appears to be characteristic
Stage. At Panuco, vessel feetdo not appear untilthe of the ChicanelPeriod223 and is foundin San Jose I in
Aguilar Period. Then shortsolid conicalfeetbeginto fair numbers.224It appears to be absent from the
appear. Appearinglaterin the periodare shorthollow Mamom and Holmul I phases. At Panuco this trait
conical feetand shortsolid conical feetthathave been firstappearsin Aguilartimes,carriesthroughthe Chila
pierced. (Long solid conical feet are also present.) Period,and reachesits greatestpopularityin the Tancol
These threetypes of feetcontinueinto the Chila and complexof earlyEl Prisco times.225At Tres Zapotes
El Prisco Periods. At Uaxactun, vessel feet do not the trait is obviouslypresentin the Ranchito collec-
appear until the Chicanel Period accordingto R. E. tions; however,its temporalpositionwas not definitely
Smith.213 Taking the ones illustratedby Ricketson establishedin the "stratitests." 226 In Honduras this
(noted as belongingto Period I and sub-divisionnot trait is very commonin the Ulua and Playa del los
noted) as being example of Period Ib (Chicanel), we Muertos Bichromehorizons.227
findsolid conicalfeetwithpointedor flattened bases.214 In theValley of Mexico the traitis confinedto Early
These typesof feetdo not appear to carryon into the Zacatenco.228At Monte Alban the traitis absent.
Holmul I phase.21 At Tres Zapotes,vessel feetappear Bowls w1ith PronouncedBasal Ridges (fig. 37, 7).-
firstin the Middle phase and are in the main the At Panuco, basal flangedbowls begin in late Aguilar
cascabel type (small, globular,slitted,and hollow).216 times,are presentin Chila Period deposits,and seem
This type of feetappears to carryon into the Upper to be most frequentin the El Prisco Period.229 They
phase. However, small solid globular feet appear in are absent in the Ponce and Pavon Periods. In the
the Middle phase only.217 Drucker illustratedshort Maya area, they appear firstin Chicanel horizon at
solid conicaland shorthollowconicalfeetthatone may Uaxactun230 and are fairlynumerousin San Jose I 231
infercame eitherfromthe Middle or Upper phase,but and Mountain Cow la.232 They carry on into the
exact provenienceis not noted.218 In the Valley of Holmul I horizon.233At Tres Zapotes theyare rare,
Mexico, small tripod feet are present in both Early but one red and white dish has a definitebasal ridge
Zacatenco and Early Arbolillo.219They appear to be and is assignableto the Middle 'hase.234 Some of the
mainlyof the short solid conical variety. The same brown ware dishes also appear to have basal ridges,
type appears in the Middle Zacatenco and Arbolillo but temporalassignmentis impossible,as theyare in-
horizons, but in late Zacatenco and Ticoman times cluded as bothsimpleand compositedishes in Drucker
the type appears to be on the wane and is replaced 221 Strong, Kidder,and Paul, 1938.
by larger hollow bulbous types.220In Honduras ves- 222 Caso, 1938: fig.35, 4; 35, 6.
209 Caso, 1938: fig. 34, no. 6.

223 Ricketson,1937: fig.159.
210Strong,Kidder,and Paul, 1938: 112-115. 224 Thompson, 1939: fig.24.
211 Strong,Kidder,and Paul, 1938: pl. II.
225 Ekholm,1944: fig.28.
212Strong,Kidder,and Paul, 1938: pl. 9. 226 Weiant,1943: fig.39 and 42.
213 R. E. Smith,1936. 227 Strong,Kidder,and Paul, 1938: pl. 9 and 10.
214Ricketson, 1937: fig.153a-kand p. 241. 228 Vaillant,1930: pl. IIe and d.
235Vaillant and Merwin,1932. 229 Ekholm,1944: fig.5.
216 Drucker,1936a: 135-142, fig.17. 230 Ricketson,1937: fig.160; Smith,1936: fig.2.
217 Drucker,1936a: fig.30. 231 Thompson,1939: fig.28-29.
218Ibid. 232 Thompson,1931: fig.17.
219Vaillant,1930: 83; Vaillant,1935: 19. 233 Merwinand Vaillant,1932.
1930; Vaillant,1931.
220Vaillant, 234Drucker, 1943a: 51, fig. 23;.

1 A B C D E F H
2 A B C D E
3 A B C D E F
4 A B C D 5 A B C 0 E F
6 A B C D E F G H I K N
7 A B C D E F G H
LF I J K M N
FIG. 37.
1. Manrmiformvessel fczt. (D) Caso, 1938,fig.34, no. 7. MonteAlbanI.

(E) Caso, 1938,fig.42. MonteAlban II.
(A) Weiant, 1943, fig. 50b. Middle Tres Zapotes B ( ?). (F) Caso, 1938,fig.40, no. 4. MonteAlbanII.
(B) Vaillant and Merwin, 1932, pl. 18e. Holmul I. (G) Vaillant,1930,pl. VIIIq. Late Zacatenco.
(C) Vaillant and Merwin, 1932, pl. 18c. Holmul I. (H) Vaillant,1931,pl. LXXVk. Ticoman.

chartson stratigraphy.At Monte Alban the trait is generaltendencyfortheinslopingside to changefroma
presentin both the early periods.235In the Valley of slightlyconvexside to a straightside. In theMaya area
Mexico, basal ridged bowls are very rare and only vesselsof thisshape are mostuncommon. The nearest
appear on the Ticomanhorizon236 and possiblyin Mid- thingto it is to be foundin the Chicanelphase,and the
dle El Arbolillo.237 In Honduras, basal ridges or one illustratedhas a slightthickenedand verticalrim.240
flangeshave not been noted. However, in pl. 10 A, J This variantof the inslopingcompositesilhouetteap-
fromn Playa de los Muertos both would appear to be pears to be uncommonat Tres Zapotes,241though
sherds that mightbe construedto have basal ridges Weiant illustratedan inslopingstraight-sidedcomposite
and fig.9 D fromUlua Bichromealso mightbe one.238 silhouettepot fromsurfaceburials fromTres Zapotes
InslopingStraight-sided ComnpositeSilhouetteBowels
(Middle B ?) .242 In theValley of Mexico,thestraight-
(fig.37, 6).-This traitis not one of thebest because it
sided formis presentin El ArbolilloI and II burials243
is so closely relatedto the incurved-rim bowl type as
as well as in Middle Zacatenco.244
well as the basal ridge bowls. Its distributionseems
rathersporadicbut generallyspeaking,it appearsin the As far as can be determinedfromthe publications,
Temple Formative and Proto Classic Stages. At thisformis absentat Monte Alban and Honduras.
Panuco, there is a gradual developmentfromthe in- Red on WhiteBichrowe.-This appears to be a good
curved-rim bowl (profiles16 and 17 of fig.17) intoan Temple FormativeStage time marker (except for its
insloping-sided bowl withthe side at a definiteangle to presencein Mamom). At Panuco, red on whitesherds,
the convex bottom. This startsduringAguilar times thoughappearingas trade sherds in the Aguilar and
and carriesthroughthe El Prisco Period.239 There is a Chila Periods, are not numerous and evidentlyare
235 Caso, 1938: fig.34,no. 4; fig.36,no. 3. 240 Ricketson,1937: fig.157d.
236 Vaillant,1931: pl. LXXIVo. 241
Drucker,1943a: fig.38 L, and fig.23b and d.
237 Vaillant,1935: fig.19, 7. 242 Weiant,1943: fig.19a.
238 Strong,Kidder,and Paul, 1938. 243 Vaillant,1935: fig.21, no. 2.
239 Ekholm,1944: fig.5. 244 Vaillant,1930: pl. Vg.
2 Zoned pu;ictatedecorationi. 6. Insloping-sidedcompositesilhouettebowls.

(A) This report,see fig.15, 6. Chila Period. (A) Ricketson,1937,fig. 157d. ChicanelPhase of Ua-
(B) Ekholm,1944,fig.28w. Tancol complexof Early xactun.
El Prisco Period. (B) This report,no. 16 of fig.17. MainlyChila Period
(C) Vaillant,1931,pl. LXXIVg. Ticoman. thoughin AguilarPeriod.
(D) Drucker,1947,pl. I. La Venta,MiddleTres Zapotes (C) Ekholm,1944,fig.4m. Chila Period.
B. (D) Ekholm,1944,fig.5T. El Prisco Period.
(E) Strong,Kidder,and Paul, 1939,fig. 18a. Playa de (E) Ekholm,1944,fig.5j. El Prisco Period.
los Muertos. (F) Vaillant,1930,pl. Vg. MiddleZacatenco.
3. Ladles or dippers. (G) Drucker,1943a, fig. 381. Middle Tres Zapotes or
later.
(A) Ekholm,1944,fig.13v. El Prisco. (H) Drucker,1943a, fig. 23b. Middle Tres Zapotes or
(B) Drucker,1943a,fig.41n. MiddleTres Zapotes.
later.
(C) Drucker, 1943b, fig. 12ee. Cerro de las Mesas, (I) Drucker,1943a,fig. 23d. Middle Tres Zapotes or
LowerI or II.
El Arbolillo. later.
(D) Vaillant,1935,fig.23b. Early
(E) Vaillant,1931,P1. LXXX, no. 16. Ticoman. (J) Weiant,1943,fig.19a. MiddleTres Zapotesor later.
(F) Caso, 1938,fig.39, no. 8. MonteAlban PeriodII. (K) Vaillant,1935,fig.21, no. 2. El ArbolilloI.
4. Rockerstamping. 7. Basal Flangedbowls.

(A) Tlatilcoin MacNeish'sprivatecollection. (A) Thompson,1939,fig.28e. San JoseI.
(B) Drucker,1947,pl. I. La Venta. (B) R. E. Smith,1936,fig.2 (17). Chicanel.
(C) Drucker,1947,pl. I. La Venta. (C) Ricketson,1937,fig.160c. Chicanel.
(D) Strong,Kidder,and Paul, 1939,pl. IX. Ulua Bi- (D) Ricketson, 1937,fig.160B. Chicanel.
chrome. (E) See this report,no. 11 of fig. 17. Mainly Chila.
Period.
5. Red paintoutlinedby incising.
(F) Ekholm,1949,fig.5i. El Prisco.
(A) Drucker,1943b,fig.135. Cerrode las Mesas. Lower (G) Ekholm,1944,fig.5R. El Prisco.
I. (H) Ekholm,1944,fig.5B. El Prisco.
(B) Drucker,1943b,fig.136. Cerrode las Mesas. Lower (I) Ekholm,1944,fig.5A. El Prisco.
I.
(C) Ekholm,1944,fig.29A. Tancol Complexof Early
(J) Drucker,1943a,fig.23j. MiddleTres Zapotes.
El Prisco Period. (K) Vaillant,1931,pl. LXXIVo. Ticoman.
(D) Ekholm,1944,fig.29B. Tancol Complexof Early (L) Thompson,1939,fig.29b. San JoseI.
El Prisco Period. (M) Drucker,1943b,fig.54. Cerrode las Mesas, Lower
(E) Vaillant,1931,pl. LXXg. Ticoman. I or II.
(F) Vaillant,1930,pl. XIe. Late Zacatenco. (N) Caso, 1938,fig.34, no. 4. MonteAlban I.

totallyabsent fromthe El Prisco Period.245 In the Middle Tres Zapotes B.260 It is perhapsa good link
Maya area, red on white sherds are presentonly in traitforthemorenorthernProto-Classicmanifestations.
significantamountsin San Jose I.246 In the Mamom Rocker Starmping.-Traitswiththis decorativetech-
periodtheremay be some presentas I receiveda sherd nique are relativelyrare in Meso-Americaso the trait
labeled red on whitefromMamom fromR. E. Smith. is nottoo strongforthatreason. However,the traitis
thenthis rathercomplexand in Meso-America(with the excep-
Quite frankly,if this sherd is representative,
typeis reallynot red on whitebut red and whitefor tionofa potfromHolmul 5) 261 it appearsto be confined
the exterioris paintedred withouta traceof whiteand to the late stages of the Temple Formative Period,
the interioris paintedwhitewithouta traceof red. At beingfoundat La Venta (late Middle Tres Zapotes),262
Tres Zapotes, red on white sherds are only foundin Tlatilco (Late-Middle Zacatenco)263 and in the Ulua
the Middle phase.247 In the Valley of Mexico, red on Bichromehorizon.264As has been mentionedbefore,
whiteis foundin all Pre-Classichorizons.248At Monte this traitmightvery well be a link traitfor much of
Alban,red on whiteis foundmainlyin Period I.249 In the New World.265
Honduras this bichromeis missing from the Yojoa Ladles or Dippers.-This is rather a good time
Monochromehorizonbut is presentin both the Playa marker for late Temple Formativeand Proto-Classic.
de los Muertos250 and Ulua Bichromehorizons.251 However, like manylate traitsit has a spottydistribu-
Mounds.-This traitseems to startnot earlierthan tion. At Panuco dippersfirstappear in the El Prisco
theTemple FormativeStage. There is a generaltend- Period.266 This traitis absentin the Maya and Hon-
encyfortheseto be isolatedmoundsin theTempleFor- duras areas. At Tres Zapotes ladles are called the
mativeStage, while in Proto-Classic(and later) these fryingpan typeof incensario.267 What Druckermeans
moundsare groupedaround plazas. In the Huasteca, by a fryingpan is illustratedin the Cerro de las Mesas
a few of the isolatedmoundsat Chila appear to belong report,fig. 12ee. These occur in the late part of the
to the Chila Period. However,it is not untilEl Prisco Middle phase in Tres Zapotes,268 and zoomorphicdip-
times that large groups of mounds such as the ones per handlesare mentionedforthe Upper phase.269 In
around Laguna Tortuga and at Chila began to be con- the Valley of Mexico ladles are presentat Zacatenco
spicuouslypresent. In the Maya area, Chicanel sees in the Middle and Late Periods.270 At El Arbolilloa
thefirstbuildingof an isolatedmound,whilein Holmul few are foundin Period I, but the bulk of themcome
I mound buildingseems more extensive.252At Tres from the Middle Period.271 At Gualupita they are
Zapotes, extensivemound buildingappears to be con- fairlycommonin Periods I & II,272 whiletheyare pres-
finedto the Upper phase accordingto to Drucker.253 ent in all periodsat Ticoman.273 At Monte Alban one
At Monte Alban,moundbuildingbeginsin Period I.254 is illustratedfor Period II.274 One mightsuspectthat
In theValley of Mexico, moundbuildingseemsto start ladles were invented in the Valley of Mexico during
in Ticoman times at Teotihuacan I and Cuicuilco.255 the Temple Formative Stage and diffusedto otherareas
in Proto-Classictimes.
Red Paint Outlinedby Incising.-This traitis rather
Zoned Punctate.-This seemsto be a diagnostictrait,
limited,and exceptfor one occurrencein Playa de los
foundmainlyin the Proto-ClassicStage but presentin
Muertosand one case in Early Zacatenco whichlooks
theTemple Formative. At Panuco one sherdof zoned
aberrant,it lookslikea Proto-Classictrait. It does not
punctatewas found in the Chila Period, while many
appear in the Panuco area untilEl Prisco timesin the
were found in the Tancol complex of the El Prisco
Tancol complex.256
Period.275 In the Maya area and at Monte Alban,the
In the Valley of Mexico, the traitis mainlyin Ti-
trait is not present. In Honduras one pot fromPlaya
coman257 and Late Zacatenco.258 de los Muertosbears this decoration.276In the Valley
In SouthernVera Cruz,it appearsin the Cerrode las
260 Weiant,1943: fig.26.
Mesas Lower 1,259 and Weiant has it as appearingin
261 Thompson,1931: pl. XLVIII.
245 Ekholm,1944: fig. 29. 262Drucker, 1947: pl. 1.
246 Thompson, 1939: 85. 263 MurielPorter,Ph.D. thesisfor ColumbiaUniversity.
247 Drucker,1943a: 137, 139, 59. 264 Strong,Kidder,and Paul, 1938: pl. IX.
248 Vaillant,1930. 265 Griffin
and Krieger,1947: 164-165.
249 Caso, 1938.
266Ekholm, 1944: 346.
250 Strong,Kidder,and Paul, 1938: 74. 267Drucker, 1943a: 70.
251 Strong,
Kidder,and Paul, 1938: 68. 268Drucker, 1943a: 137.
252 Smithand Smith,1950.
269Drucker, 1943a: 116.
253Drucker,1943a: 116. 270 Vaillant,1930: table I.
254 Caso, 1938. 271 Vaillant,1935: 236.
255 Vaillant,1941: 28-50. 272 Vaillant,1934: table2.
256 Ekholm,1944:
29, fig.29 A, B. 273 Vaillant,1931: table 1.
257 Vaillant,1931: pl. LXX. 274 Caso, 1938:
fig.39, no. 8.
258 Vaillant,1930:
pl. XI. 275 Ekholm,1944.
259 Drucker,1943b:
fig.135-136. 276 Strong,
Kidder,and Paul, 1939: fig.18a.

of Mexico one sherdfromTicoman277 bears this deco- PolychromePainting.-This traitis notgood because
ration,whileit also is presentat La Venta in southern it is not well defined,since the polychromepaintingis
Vera Cruz.278 oftenof verydifferent colors. However,the traitdoes
MammiformFeet.-This traitappears mainlyin the appear to have temporalsignificance, neverbeingfound
Proto-Classicstage and does not seem to have wide- beforeProto-Classictimes. The traitis absent in all
spread significance. The traitis absentfromthe Pre- Pre-Classichorizonsat Panuco unlessthe Fresco deco-
Classic of the Huasteca, and seems to be rare if not rated sherdsbe consideredsuch. If the Fresco deco-
absent at Tres Zapotes. However, Weiant does illus- ratedsherdsare polychrome, thenat Panuco it is pres-
trateone footof this class fromthe Ranchitosite, but
ent in El Prisco. In spite of Drucker's terminology
its exact period is difficult to determine.279In Hon-
whichnames a paste typepolychrome, it appears to be
duras, the trait is absent from the earlier horizons,
Yojoa Monochrome,Playa de los Muertos,and Ulua absent fromthe Lower phase at Tres Zapotes and is
Bichrome. However, Wauchope notes that it appears rare (if presentat all) in Middle Tres Zapotes.285 It
in the later Copan Archaic.280In the Maya area the is present,however,in Upper Tres Zapotes.286 In the
mammiform vessel footis typicalonlyof the Holmul I Maya area red and blackare added to the red or brown-
period,281 while at Monte Alban this kind of foot ap- whiteslip in Holmul J.287 Some of "El Fresco" wares
pears in Periods I and II.282 in Monte Alban I and II appear to be polychromes.288
In theValley of Mexico, theseswollenfeetare found In theValley of Mexico in Late Zacatenco289 and Tico-
in late Zacatenco283 and in Ticoman.284 man,290red on yellow with the red outlinedby white
277Vaillant,1939: pl. LXXIVg. representsthe firstdefinitepolychromes.
278Drucker, 1947: pl. 1.
279Weiant, 1943: fig. 50b.
285 Drucker,1943a.
280 Wauchope, 1950. 286Drucker, 1943a: 116.
287 Vaillantand
281Vaillantand Merwin,1932: pl. XVIII. Merwin,1932.
282Caso, 1938: figs.34,40, 42. 288 Caso, 1938.
283 Vaillant, 1930: pl. VIII. 289 Vaillant,1930.
284 Vaillant, 1931: pl. LXXV. 290 Vaillant,231.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
ARMILLAS, PEDRO. 1948. A sequence of cultural development RICKETSON, E. B., and 0. G. RICKETSON. 1937. Uaxactun,
in Meso America. Mem. of Soc. Amer.Arch. 4. Guatemala Group E 1926-1931. Carnegie Institution of
ARNOLD,J. R., and W. F. LIBBY. 1950. Radiocarbon dates. Washington, 447.
Institutefor Nuclear Studies, University of Chicago Press. SMITH, A. L. 1950. Uaxactun, Guatemala: Excavations of
CAso, A. 1938. Exploraciones en Oaxaca. Inst. Pana. Amer. 1931-1937. Carnegie Institution of Washington, 588.
de Geo. e Hist., Pub. 34, Mexico. SMITH, R. E. 1936a. Preliminary shape analysis of the
DRUCKER,PHILIP. 1943a. Ceramic sequences at Tres Zapotes, Uaxactun pottery. (Mimeographed by Carnegie Inst. of
Veracruz, Mexico. Bureau Amer. Ethnol. Bull. 140. Washington for student use.)
Washington. . 1936b. Ceramics of Uaxactun: a preliminary analysis
. 1943b. Ceramic stratigraphy at Cerro de las Mesas, of decorative technics and designs. (Mimeographed by
Veracruz, Mexico. Bureau Amer. Ethnol. Bull. 141. Carnegie Inst. of Wash. for studentuse.)
Washington. . 1940. Ceramics of the Peten. In The Maya and their
. 1947. Some implications of the ceramic complex of La neighbors. New York, D. Appleton-CenturyCo.
STRONG, W. D., A. KIDDER II, and A. J. D. PAUL. 1938. Pre-
Venta. Smithsonian Miscell. Coll. 107.
liminary report of the Smithsonian Institution-Harvard
EKHOLM, GORDON. 1944. Excavations at Tampico and Pa-
UniversityArchaeological expedition to northwesternHon-
nuco in the Huasteca, Mexico. Anthrop.Papers of Amer.
duras, 1936. SmiiithsonianMiscel. Coll. Washington 97
Mus. of NaturalHist. 38 (5).
(1).
GRIFFIN, JAMES B., and ALEX D. KRIEGER. 1947. Notes on STRONG, W. D. 1943. Cross sections of New World pre-
some ceramic techniques and intrusions in Central Mex- history. Smithsonian Miscel. Coll. Washington 104 (2).
ico. Amer.Antiq. 12 (3). THOMPSON, J. ERIC. 1931. Archaeological investigations in
GORDON,GEORGEBYRON. 1898. Researches in the Uloa Val- the southern Cayo district,British Honduras. Field Mu-
ley, Honduras. Mem. Peabody Mus. Amer. Arch. and seum of Natural History, 301, Anthropological Series 18
Ethnol.1 (4). (3).
KIDDER,A. V., J. D. JENNINGS, and E. M. SHOOK. 1946. Ex- 1939. Excavations at San Jose, British Honduras.
cavations at Kaminaljuyu, Guatemala. Carnegie Institu- Carnegie Institutionof Washington, 506.
tion of Washington, 576. . 1942. Late ceramic horizons at Benque Viejo, British
KROEBER,A. L. 1939. Cultural and natural areas of native Honduras. Contributions to Amer. Anthro. and Hist.,
North America 38. Univ. of Calif. Press. Carnegie Inst. Washington528, 7 (35).
. 1940. "Conclusions" in the Maya and their neighbors. VAILLANT, GEORGE C. 1941. Aztecs of Mexico. New York,
New York, D. Appleton-CenturyCo. Doubleday Doran Inc.
LINNE, S. 1934. Archaeological researches at Teotihuacan, * 1935. Excavations at El Arbolillo. Anthrop. Papers
Mexico. Ethnog.Mus. Sweden 1, Stockholm. of the Amer. Mus. of Natural Hist. 15 (2).
MAcNEISH, R. S. 1947. A preliminaryarchaeological survey . 1930. Excavations at Zacatenco. Anthrop. Papers of
of coastal Tamaulipas, Mexico. Amer.Antiq. 13 (1). the Amer. Mus. of Natural Hist. 32 (1).
RITCHIE, W. A., and R. S. MAcNEISH. 1949. The pre- . 1931. Excavations at Ticoman. Anthrop. Papers of
Iroquoian pottery of New York State. Amer. Antiq. 15 the Amer. Mits. of Natural Hist. 32 (1).
(2). VAILLANT, SUZANNAH B., and GEORGE C. VAILLANT. 1934.
MASON, J. ALDEN. 1940. Native language of Middle Amer- Excavations at Gualupita. Anthrop. Papers of the Amer.
ica. In The Maya and their neighbors. New York, D. Mus. of Nattral Hist. 35 (1).
WAUCHOPE, ROBERT. 1934. Hose Mounds of Uaxactun, Guate-
Appleton-CenturyCo.
mala. Carnegie Institutionof Washington, 436 (7).
MERWIN, R. E., and GEORGE C. VAILLANT. 1932. The ruins
. 1950. A tentative sequence of Pre-Classic ceramics in
of Homul. Memoirs Peabody Mus. Amer. Arch. and
Middle America. Middle American Research Records 1
Ethnol. 3 (2). (14).
POPENOE, DOROTHY H. 1934. Some excavations at Playa de WEIANT, C. W. 1943. An introductionto the ceramics of
los Muertos, Ulua River, Honduras. Maya Research 1 Tres Zapotes, Veracruz, Mexico. Bureau of Amer. Ethnol.
(1) - Bull. 139, Washington.
640

INDEX
Aguilar,Alberto,541, 548 Ingram,A. E., 541 Shook,E. M., 541,617,626
Arbolillo,574, 617, 619, 623, 626, 627, Sierra de Tamaulipas,544
630, 631, 634, 635, 637, 638 Kaminaljuyu,566, 589, 592, 617, 624 Smith,R. E., 541,545,571,589,591,601,
Aztec, 544 Kidder,A. V., 539,540 617, 618, 630, 631, 635, 638
Krieger,Alex, 541,545 Soncautla,625
Bay Island,630
BenqueViejo, 592,619,625,626,627,631, Laguna Tortuga,638 Tabasco, 544
634 Leechman,D., 541 Tajin, 544,625
Borbolla,Rubinde la, 541 Tancol, 575, 577, 601, 616, 623, 630, 635,
Brainerd,G., 626 MacQuarrie,G., 541 638
Mamon,545, 571,573,589,591,592, 595, Teotihuacan, 539,544,625,638
Caso, Alfonso,525,630 597, 599, 602, 618, 623, 624, 625, 626, Tepeu, 545, 617
Cerro de las Mesas, 544, 577, 580, 593, 627, 630, 631, 633, 634, 635, 638 Terra,Helmutde, 541,545,547
595, 617, 619, 623, 624, 626, 627, 634, Mani Cenote,626 Thompson,E., 592, 630
638 Marquina,I., 541 Ticoman,617,619,623,630,631,634,635,
Charcas,Las, 566,619,624,626 Maya, 539, 544, 626, 627, 630, 634, 635, 637,638,639
Chicanel,544,545,619,623,626,627,630, 637, 638, 639 Tlatilco,617, 619, 621, 623, 638
631, 633, 634, 635, 637, 638 Mayan,544 Tortua,Julio,541,548
Cholula,577, 619, 631 Mayoid,544 Totonac,625
Coban,591 Mazapan, 544 Tozzer,A. M., 541
Copan, Archaic,639 Miraflores, 567, 589 Tres Zapotes,544,545,567,571,573,574,
Copilco,619,623 Mireles,R., 541 577, 580, 589, 591, 592, 593, 595, 597,
Cuicuilco,638 Monte,Alban,545,567,597,617,619,621, 599, 602, 614, 617, 618, 619, 621, 623,
626, 627, 630, 631, 634, 635, 637, 638, 624, 625, 626, 627, 630, 631, 633, 634,
Drucker,P., 577, 593, 597,618, 621, 624, 639 635, 637, 638, 639
633, 635, 638, 639 MountainCow, 619,626,627,631,635 Tzakol, 545,617
Du Solier,Wilfrido,541
Olmec,621 Uaxactun,544, 545, 589, 617, 621, 624,
Ebano, El, 615 627, 630,631, 634,635
Ekholm,G., 539, 541, 544, 545, 548, 553, Panuco Gray,545 Ulua Bichrome,619, 623, 626, 627, 630,
554, 566, 571, 574, 577, 579, 580, 589, Panuco Perior,566,626,627,630 631,635,637,638,639
592, 593, 595, 605, 608, 610, 614, 615, Pavon, Roberto,541 Ulua River,589
633 Peten,544
Elliott,E. C., 541 PithayasPeriod,566,625 Vaillant,George C., 577, 592, 593, 627,
Esperanza,617 Playa de los Muertos,567,619,623, 626, 633
Evans, Glen,541, 545, 547 627, 630, 631, 634, 635, 637, 638, 639 Venta, La, 593, 618, 621, 623, 624, 634,
Ponce,Leonardo,541,548 638
Fejos, P., 541 Popenoe,D. H., 626 Vera Cruz, 626,627,638, 639
Flores,Period,Las, 566,601 Porter,Muriel,621
Flores,Red on Buff,Las, 580 Prisco Black, El, 544, 571,574, 580,608,
Flores Relief,Las, 580 609, 616, 631 Wauchope,R., 541,617,619,639
Fresco,639 Prisco Period,El, 566,571,574,575,589, Weiant,C. W., 593, 595, 597, 637, 638,
597, 601, 608, 615, 623, 627, 630, 631, 639
Gordon,G. B., 627 634,635,637,638,639
Gualupita,577, 617, 619, 623, 627, 634, Pueblito,544 Yojoa, 630
638 Yojoa, Lake, 626
Guatemala,626 Quichoid,544 Yojoa Monochrome, 567, 619, 623, 626,
627, 630,631,634,635,638, 639
Hay, C., 589,633 Ranchito,635,639 Yucatan,544
Holmul,619,623, 626,627, 630,631,634, Ricketson,E. B., 589, 595, 627, 630, 635
635, 638, 639 Zacatenco,577, 592, 593, 617, 619, 623,
Honduras,626, 627, 630, 631, 634, 635, Salvador,589,618, 634 624, 627, 630, 631, 634, 635, 637, 638,
637, 638, 639 San Jose, 619, 626, 627, 630, 631, 634, 639
Huastec,544 635, 638 Zaquil Black, 545
Huasteca,544, 634, 638, 639 Santa Maria Zacatepec,577 Zaquil Period,566
Huasteca Black on White,580, 608 Santa Rita, 630 Zaquil Red, 545, 580, 609
641


MacNeish, Richard - An Early Archaeological Site Near Pánuco, Veracruz. 1954.

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MacNeish, Richard - An Early Archaeological Site Near Pánuco, Veracruz. 1954.

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An Early Archaeological Site near Panuco, Vera Cruz

Author(s): Richard S. MacNeish

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FOR PROMOTING USEFUL KNOWLEDGE

NEW SERIES-VOLUME 44, PART 5

AN EARLY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE NEAR PANUCO,

THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

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to Ekholm'slowestand thesewereunderlainby several lems outlined above can be determinedonly when

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I. INTRODUCTION (highland) and Mayoid (lowland); then the Mayoid

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FIG. 1. A reconstructionof the geolog,ical history from VG-1

studied the geologyof the area. Their opinions,ob- equals 5 feet

servations,and the resultsof subsequentdiscussionsas

based upon the resultsof the excavationof the testpits

fourfeet. The northeasternmost five-footsquare was

interspersedwith two humuslayers,all of whichwas

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II. A REPORT ON VC-2

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stratanoted,and the strataand featuresgivenarbitrary

names or numbers. The depth of the floorwas also

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FIG. 7. Excavationof the exteriorwall afterlevel 16 had beencompleted.

sands betweenbeingstrippedoffas layersuntila depth

THE STRATIGRAPHY OF VC-2 (See fig.11)

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brownstratum,called sub-zone4. When thiswas dug

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1 ~~~~~5 2 10 2 3 1 10 3 1 1 1 39 11 208 258

2 .19 .01 .01 .07 .16 .03 .47 .07 94

3 .19 .01 .04 .07 .18 .02 .37 .07 .02

4 .22 .09 .04 .03 .10 .01 .43 .10

8 .04 .56 .01 .15 .04 .10 .09 .01 .00

9 .00 .04 .57 .02 .13 .03 .09 .12 .00

10 .00 .03 .65 .04 .14 .04 .06 .08

11 .00 .07 .59 .07 .10 .04 .06 .06

12 .01 .03 .67 .04 .13 .03 .02 .05

14 .14 .60 .11 .12 .01 .02

17 .10 .64 .11 .13 .02 .00

18 .00 .08 .65 .10 .14 .02

19 .01 .17 .62 .12 .08

20 .02 .17 .64 .12 .05

21 .11 .35 .57

Grand Total 13,573

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00'- 00 C1C1 C14C

I -, > 0 . " * ' 0

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U-0 toC- W WWW W W W

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