Etnoarqueología y análisis químicos en una unidad habitacional tradicional en Muxucuxcab, Yucatán

Abstract

The integral study of the household at Muxucuxcab, Yucatan provided information concerning the distribution of chemical compounds that reflect the activities of the inhabitants. Information was obtained interviewing the people living in the study area and as a result of detailed archaeological excavation and recording of materials. The joint interpretation of these three levels of information clearly delimited four activity areas in the household: the roofed area that concentrates residues from activities such as storage, and food preparation and consumption; the residential area that surrounds the roofed area and shows a close relationship with its activities; the perifery, partially cleaned of vegetation concentrates residues from washing clothes and dishes; and, finally, the area with vegetation that concentrates residues from garbage and discarding activities. The distribution of chemical compounds in the floor showed a clear relationship with the distribution of archaeological material recovered from the surface. Chemical information complemented and detailed the interpretation of human activities through the identification of non-visible residues.