Important+Burial+sites+at+Monte+Albàn

SCOTT DENNEY Some of the important burial sites can be seen below. Tomb 7 at Monte Ablan is a tomb that has constantly been cause of debate one currents debate is the gender of the main occupant. In the first interpretation the main occupant was assigned the gender of male but upon further studies the gender is now in question due to the goods found in proximity to the individual. One argument by Sharisse and Geoffrey McCafferty states that the skeletal structure of the individual is ambiguous at best. The goods found in close proximity point to gender-female and the tomb and burial could possible be a shrine to Lady 9 Grass, a principal member of the Mixtec Mother Goddess complex. Tomb 7 was called “one of the richest and most famous archaeological discoveries ever made in the new world” by Caso. There are over 500 exotic grave goods including items of copper, gold, jade, obsidian and many other semi precious/precious stones. This supports the argument that tomb burials are made for people of higher status in this new world society. One of the other leading arguments about tomb 7 is the illogical timing “because the ceremonial center had long been abandoned when the late postclassic treasure was deposited.”It is said that the tomb was originally built and interred with its first inhabitants in the Classic period but was later reused in the late postclassic when nine individuals were interred in the tomb. It is in this group that the turquoise skull was found. It is a human skull covered with turquoise and shell mosaic plaques with a knife in the nasal passage. It is believed that the skull was used as an incense burner. The second skeleton mentioned is Skeleton A who presented with a skull deformity that most likely caused severe headaches but not enough to cause the death of the individual. It is believed that due to the possible dementia and the facial deformity the individual would have associated itself with Xolotl, the god of monsters. Some other the other artifacts found in the tomb include many weaving and sewing items that lead to the assumption that the tomb was a shrine to Lady 9, combs, 34 carved eagle and jaguar bones, And a famous golden pectoral with a Mixtec-style calendrical notation, among vast other treasures.

Another Tomb found at Monte Alban is tomb 104 which lies underneath an elite residence measuring 20m on one side. The tomb was cut into the bedrock underneath the original structure. Inside the tomb there was a single male skeleton, several anamorphic effigy urns, and other grave goods. One of the most notable areas of interest are in the large polychrome murals that appear to depict either relatives or ancestors of the tombs occupant. According to Arthur G. Miller “the subject matter concerns the family lineage of the residence inhabiting the house above the tomb...this funerary subject matter concerns th 'ascent' or 'return' to the 'fauces celestiales'” because of the vast drawings and detailed murals they believe that the tombs iconography describes the journey of the deceased into the celestial realm. Because of the differences of styles seen in the tomb Miller is lead to believe that tomb 104 has been opened and reused like many of the other tombs of Monte Alban.

While somewhat more unknown are tombs 103, 105, and 112. they all also contained mural paintings that were largely unseen by people other than the ones who participated in the actual ceremonies.These were all from Monte Alban IIIa period and all contained “brilliantly decorated and highly communicative” murals of elite power and status.