Chronologie par thermoluminescence de cultures préhispaniques de l'Ouest mexicain

Abstract

According to the archaeological data and to a typological study of ceramic artefacts, 3 main periods took place at Coamiles, prehispanic ceremonial site in western Mexico, state of Nayarit : classic, ancient post-classic and recent post-classic. The appearence of the incised ceramic, a particular type of decoration, characterizes mainly the classic/post-classic transition. A new orientation of the architectural structures built on the cerro, rocky hill, at the Coamiles site marks the transition between ancient and recent post-classic periods. This present study deals with the chronology of the prehispanic occupation of the cerro and the cultural transitions. TL dating was carried out on ceramics sampled by the physicists during the excavations at the borings 9 and 11. The dating results are the following : . The occupation of the cerro had begun during the 600-800AD interval, i.e. during the classic period (levels 14 and 15 of boring II). The end of the utilisation of the ceremonial site is linked to the Spanish conquest, in 1540 according to the historical data ; this fact is confirmed by a TL result, 1560 ± 81 AD (level 3, boring 9). . The end of the ancient post-classic period is dated : 1150 ± 49 AD (level 5, boring 11) and the beginning of the recent post-classic period, 1295 ± 45 AD (level 5, boring 9). The re-orientation of the buildings had then been occuring during the Xlllth century.