Changes in the use of the pearl oyster Pinctada mazatlanica (Bivalvia: Pteriidae) in the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan

Abstract

THE NACREOUS SHELL OF THE TROPICAL PACIFIC MOLLUSC PINCTADA MAZATLANICA WAS WIDELY USED BY THE ANCIENT INHABITANTS OF MEXICO. AROUND 600 PIECES MADE OF THIS SHELL HAVE BEEN FOUND IN OFFERINGS BURIED IN THE GREAT TEMPLE OF TENOCHTITLAN. MOST OF THESE OBJECTS COME FROM THE IVTH CONSTRUCTION STAGE (1440-1481), PRIOR TO THE CONQUEST OF THE PACIFIC COAST BY THE AZTECS. IT WAS PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT THAT THE CONSIDERABLY SMALLER NUMBERS FOUND IN THE FOLLOWING STAGES WERE DUE TO THE GREATER DEGREE OF DESTRUCTION SUFFERED BY THE TEMPLE. NEVERTHELESS, THE ALMOST COMPLETE ABSENCE OF THIS MATERIAL IN NINE OFFERINGS FOUND RECENTLY CORRESPONDING TO THE VIITH CONSTRUCTION STAGE (1502-1521), RAISE OTHER POSSIBILITIES. IN THIS WORK TWO DIFFERENT HYPOTHESES ARE PRESENTED TO EXPLAIN THIS OBSERVATION.