Childhood Bioarchaeology: The Case of El Palmillo during the Classic

Abstract

Childhood from bioarchaeological and archaeological perspectives has not been well studied in Mesoamerica and Oaxaca. To better understand this issue, we examined differences in the funerary treatment provided for children and adults and assessed axes of variation between these different age-defined samples. Of over 100 human skeletons in the osteological collection of El Palmillo dating to the Classic period (AD 250-850), a study could be made from the evaluation of the biological age. A statistical analysis of aggregated burials at the site examine the distribution by age, position, location, chronology, among other variables Finally, we compare our results to the mortuary practices reported for Monte Albán to evaluate if there is a consistent pattern in Zapotec funerary treatment or if there are differences between the sites.