With National Science Foundation support, archaeologist Dr. George Cowgill and colleagues have excavated and conducted extensive research on burial sites beneath the Feathered Serpent Pyramid. Evidence from the burials, which held over 130 bodies and abounty of grave goods, indicates that the bodies and associated objects served as sacrificial offerings during the construction of the pyramid, otherwise known as the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. Since these sacrifices were state ceremonies, and their rituals incurred for political purposes, Dr. Cowgill's goal is to shed light on the political and social organization of Teotihuacan through analysis of the physical remains and burial goods.

Massive stone panel carvings on the facade of the Temple of Quetzalcoatl show feathered rattlesnakes alternating with zoomorphic headdresses and seashells, symbolizing war, rulership and early calendrical time. Dr. Cowgill and his collaborators, digging deeper in its burials, study patterns of human teeth, bone traits and DNA to help determine both what status the interred held in their society and their relation, if any, to other Teotihuacan groups. While archaeologists have generally asserted that such pre-Columbian sacrificial victims were captives of war, Cowgill's evidence and analysis indicate that the individuals beneath the Feathered Serpent Pyramid belonged to the upper classes of Teotihuacan society. Not all burials were individual: one mass grave held 20 persons. Anthropomorphic figurines and serpent-like figurines carved of fine stone, spearheads and other offerings have been discovered alongside the human remains. This research continues to provide insight into the political, social,and religious organization of Teotihuacan, and to elucidate the machinations of its ruling elite and 100,000-member community.

With further support from the National Science Foundation and under the tutelage of Dr. Cowgill, young scientist Saburo Sugiyama hinges his archaeological pursuit on evidence that burials were strategically placed in relation to the Feathered Serpent Pyramid. He focuses on the spacial relationship between the burial sites and associated burial objects, then searches for patterns in the arrangement of the graves in order to reconstruct the chronological sequence of burial. Sugiyama hopes this information can help him reconstruct the ritual ceremonies leading to the Teotihuacan burials. National Science Foundation support of Dr. Cowgill and his colleagues has facilitated the valuable archaeological evidence, data and understanding they have extracted from Teotihuacan, plus the creation of a permanent research facility there. But Dr. Cowgill's work extends further.

Another budding scientist under the direction of Dr. Cowgill and funded by the National Science Foundation, archaeologist Vicki Cassman is analyzing burial remains from three prehistoric cemeteries in Arica, Chile which date between 300-1200 A.D. Past archaeological research has indicated that this lowland coastal area has served as the destination for groups moving westward out of the Andean highlands. Cassman seeks to clarify the mechanisms and nature of culture contact in the area by examining mortuary remains and material goods, including ceramics and an abundance of well- preserved textiles. Textiles play a significant role in traditional Andean cultures, and the distinctive designs of cloth serve not only functional and aesthetic ends, but also signify the status and ethnic identity of its wearer. By indicating instances of cultural mingling or contact in the region, Cassman's data can help clarify the range of strategies these prehistoric groups took in pursuit of resources, whether by trade, conquest or colonization. It's a subject of great interest to archaeologists and historians alike.

For more information see:

Social differentiation at Teotihuacan, in Mesoamerican Elites: An Archaeological Assessment, ed. D. Chase and A. Chase, University of Oklahoma Press, 1992.

Toward a political history of Teotihuacan, in Ideaology and Pre-Columbian Civilizations, ed. A. Demarest and G. Conrad, School of American Research Press, 1992.

This research is supported by the Archaeology, Archaeometry, and Systematic Collections Program.