From Subsistence to Sacrifice

Abstract

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) became a staple in the meat diet of Zapotec peoples during the Formative period (1500 BC–AD 200) in the Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico, and continued to be important in subsistence and ritual into the Classic and Postclassic periods. Recent zooarchaeology research has identified low-intensity household management and production of animals and animal by-products at sites throughout the valley, with patterns of animal use varying by settlement. Households within each community showed differences, both marked and subtle, in animal-based subsistence practices, dietary preferences, and use of animals and animal by-products. By looking at diverse contexts from Classic period (ca. AD 250–800) Oaxaca, we elucidate the subsistence importance of dogs and some of its key ritual uses. We compare similarities and differences among households at Lambityeco and two other contemporaneous sites (the Mitla Fortress and El Palmillo) to gain a more holistic understanding of dogs in ancient Zapotec foodways and ritual practices.