Conchas arqueológicas de Huapalcalco, Tulancingo, Hgo. Valvas naturales y sus reproducciones

Abstract

The natural and clay reproductions shells founded in the primary and secondary contexts from the Huapalcalco archeological site can be marine, freshwater or terrestrial. These materials bring information that demonstrate: 1) Relations between Huapalcalco, Gulf of Mexico and Pacific Ocean coasts in the Epiclasic period. Even when the qualities and structures of those links are until now unknown, systematic studies will show us antique trade routes. 2) In other hand, a hiatus has overcome in the acknowledge that must exist on the utilities of the several inland bodies water like Laguna de Zupitlán and its forestall environment in precolumbian times. Archeological elements that center our attention on those topics are precisely two shells; one freshwater and the other one landsnail, that were found in primary and secondary archaeological contexts. 3) Both natural and clay reproductions shells give us several options to interpret iconographical meanings.