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A Biocultural Analysis of Social Organization at Monte Albán

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Richard G. Wilkinson  and
Richard J. Norelli
Richard G. Wilkinson
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY 12222
Richard J. Norelli
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY 12222
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Abstract

Skeletal material from high and low status interments at Monte Alban, Oaxaca, is used to evaluate the biocultural relationship between the two samples. Analyses of sex ratios, and metric and nonmetric variables fail to demonstrate a significant difference between the two groups, and suggest that class endogamy was unlikely. Analysis of the age structure of the samples provides evidence for a significant difference; social mobility and status achievement are suggested. Models of the growth and development of Monte Alban are evaluated in light of the biocultural analyses.

Type
Research Article
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 46 , Issue 4 , October 1981 , pp. 743 - 758
Copyright
Copyright © Society for American Archaeology 1981

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