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

Therefore, precursors to the Capital Zone Model may be present and identifiable in
Formative period sites.
To address the problem of the indefinite temporality of structures and complexes,
Stark (1999:197) developed “two contrastive models as a tool to guide interpretation of
Mixtequilla settlements: 1) a disconnected model, in which formal complexes are largely
sequential or independent; and 2) a connected model, in which there is greater temporal
overlap among complexes in a core zone that forms a superordinate capital, with more
distant secondary and tertiary settlements.” From these models, five criteria were
elaborated to evaluate the evidence:
1) Dating, major complexes are sequential but new constructions do not
necessarily indicate the termination of older ones;
2) Spacing, the proximity of large and small architectural complexes suggest a
united association;
3) Non-Domination, no individual formal complex is dominant within the site.
4) Non-Discreteness, location of major isolated structures suggest an integration
of complexes indicating an internal linkage;
5) Layouts, smaller outlying groups appear to be nascent off-shoots of larger
established major complexes;
6) Craft production, widely distributed across central complexes as well as in
residential zones.
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