An Unexplored Realm in the Heartland of the Southern Gulf ... - Famsi

agriculture, native plants, terrestrial and aquatic animals, and possibly animal husbandry
would have provided a broad base for a variety of subsistence systems (Rosenswig 2006;
Wing 1978; Wing 1981).
Residential Zone
The original pre-Olmec residential area, along the contemporary river cut in Field
6, continued to be occupied during the Early Formative period San Lorenzo phase (c.
1150-900 BC) as well as throughout the Middle and Late Formative periods (c. 900 to
300 BC). During this time the occupation area expanded alongside to the south into Field
7. Additional observations of the area regarding these temporal phases support the
hypothesis that this area was a site of the earliest demonstrable occupation and that, over
time, developed into an elite residential zone.
The San Lorenzo phase ceramic types Limon Incised and Calzadas Carved cannot
stand alone as markers of an elite presence. Nevertheless, when placed in association
with other lines of evidence, the area appears to have evolved into the residence of
privileged occupants. The deposition of San Lorenzo phase ceramics was restricted to
this area and was contiguous with the earlier pre-Olmec artifacts. Repeated construction
events involving floors and structures suggest a continual long-term occupation. The
zone’s location directly adjacent to the Olmec Throne Complex implies a relationship
with the elite-based activities that occurred there. Similar ceramic findings and the
analogous development at the contemporaneous sites of Cuatotolapan Viejo, Estero
Rabón, and San Lorenzo into elite centers also support this interpretation.
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