Earliest Representation of Women in Mesoamerica
Ceramic figurines of women have been found throughout Mesoamerica. Some of the earliest representations of women were figurines found at the sites of San Lorenzo and Paso de la Amada. Other sites include Tres Zapotes, where the figurines were found in mounds and burials, and Chiapa de Corzo, at which figurines were discovered in residential areas and plazas. Both sites date from the mid to late Formative Period.
San Lorenzo is located in the southeast area of Veracruz, Mexico. The figurines were found here in a midden pile during excavations of the site. They date to the early formative period, around 1900BC to 1300BC.
Paso de la Amada is in the Soconusco region of Chiapas, Mexico. The figurines, discovered in household trash deposits, date to the Ocos, from 1400BC to 1250BC. The figurines found here are mainly of young women and old men. The female figurines from this site have larger hips and breasts than the female figurines at other sites. This has led to speculation that they may have been associated with fertility rituals.
Read more about this topic: Women In Maya Society
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