Daily life at Santa Cruz Atizapán and San Mateo Atenco in the Toluca Valley: Perspectivefrom offerings/deposits

Abstract

Daily life is an interesting and complex subject due to the fact that there is no general consensus concerning its definition nor its repercussionon understanding the theme. “Daily life” should not merely be considered synonymous with “domestic”; rather, it constitutes repetitive activitieswhose time scales may vary depending on who carries them out. We propose that such routine behaviour be interpreted in archaeological contextsthrough evidence left, whether intentionally or otherwise, by past populations.Based on the above presumption, this paper studies the rituals associated with the placement of offerings/deposits in certain architecturalspaces of Santa Cruz Atizapán and San Mateo Atenco during the Late Classic and Epiclassic periods (ca. AD 500-900). The analysis of thesearchaeological materials is supported by the philosophical definition of routine proposed by Giannini, and is complemented with wear trace analysisand macrobotanical identification carried our on the ceramic vessels conforming the offerings.