La deformación cefálica intencional tipo tabular, variante superior, en el Zapota, Veracruz

Abstract

In prehispanic Mexico, the custom of altering the shape of the head in early infancy was a common practice. There are osteological and historical evidences of the various intentional altered head forms throughout the territory which responds to the great biocultural Mesoamerican diversity. There is a type of cephalic intentional distortion, very little studied, which has been attributed some generic and geographic exclusi- vity. This type of alteration, at a given time, has been linked to women dying during child-labor or Cihuateteotl, has been labeled as a Zapotal type deformity, since it has been considered a cultural charateristic exclusively of the prehispanic settlers of the “El Zapotal” site, located in the cultural area of “La Mixtequilla” in the mid-South of the state of Veracruz. The cephalic alteration or modification, clearly of tabular type, differs in form from the tabular classic type (straight and obliqual). Hence, diagnostic elements which make it different and the reconstruction of the tools used to produce it will be presented. The distribution of this cranial type by gender and location within the cultural area of “La Mixtequilla” shall be demonstrated and the relationship which has been given to this cephalic form, will also be discussed with the polemic trilobée cranium described by Goss in 1855.