An Archaic Mexican Shellmound and Its Entombed Floors

This book provides a detailed examination of a significant archaeological site in southwest Mexico, focusing on its historical importance. An Archaic Mexican Shellmound and Its Entombed Floors offers insights into early agricultural practices.

The book An Archaic Mexican Shellmound and Its Entombed Floors explores the archaeological site of Tlacuachero, located in southwest Mexico. This site is significant due to its shellmound, which provides insight into the Archaic period, approximately 8000 to 2000 BCE. The authors present detailed investigations of several stratified floors within the shell deposits, revealing a timeline of human activity and environmental changes over a span of 600 to 800 years. This time frame is crucial for understanding the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural practices in Mesoamerica.

As the book delves into the findings at Tlacuachero, it highlights the importance of these shell deposits in providing a window into the lives of the people who inhabited the region during this transformative period. The research not only documents the physical layers of the shellmound but also interprets the cultural and ecological implications of the artifacts found within. Through careful analysis, the authors shed light on the dietary shifts and the gradual adoption of domesticated crops, which played a vital role in shaping Mesoamerican societies.

An Archaic Mexican Shellmound and Its Entombed Floors serves as a valuable resource for archaeologists, historians, and anyone interested in the early development of agriculture in the Americas. By examining the intricate relationships between humans and their environment, the book contributes to a broader understanding of pre-Columbian history and the evolution of social structures in ancient Mexico.