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Jewels of Ceren

Form and function comparisons for the earthen structures of Joya de Cerén, El Salvador

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 October 2008

Karen A. Kievit
Karen A. Kievit
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
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Abstract

The discovery at Joya de Cerén of the remains of a prehistoric village has presented archaeologists with an unprecedented view of pre-Columbian southern Mesoamerican earthen architecture. Twelve of the 17 known structures at the site have been partially or completely excavated to date. They include domestic dwellings, storehouses, and kitchens, as well as public and ritual buildings. These structures shared many architectural characteristics, yet each was unique. This paper draws upon the Cerén literature and personal field experience in order to present, in words and drawings, a comparison of form and function for these remarkably well-preserved structures, and suggests directions for further inquiry at Cerén.

Type
Articles
Information
Ancient Mesoamerica , Volume 5 , Issue 2 , Fall 1994 , pp. 193 - 208
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

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