Understanding Royal Families in the Ancient Teotihuacan: Excavation Project of the Plaza of the Columns

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25257016
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 海外学術
• Research Field: Cultural anthropology
• Research Institution: Aichi Prefectural University
• Principal Investigator: SUGIYAMA Saburo 愛知県立大学, 国際文化研究科, 特任教授 (40315867)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 佐藤 悦夫 富山国際大学, 現代社会学部, 教授 (40235320)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 古代都市 / メソアメリカ / テオティワカン / モニュメント建築

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We explored three major pyramids in Teotihuacan obtaining a large amount of data concerning symbolic activities at monumental architectures and burials. However, the identity of people and political structure responsible for these activities remained unclear. Therefore, with this grant we began to explore a large ceremonial complex called “Plaza of the Columns” which we believe served as public ritual, administrative, and living spaces for ruling entities. We first conducted LiDAR survey to create 3D maps covering 130 Km2 including entire ancient city and surrounding areas and began a long-term exploration with trench excavations. We obtained intriguing results more than we expected (like many Mayan mural fragments indicating direct contact with Maya elites), therefore we plan to continuously carry out intensive excavations as an international project with the Mexican national institute, Arizona State University, Boston University, Harvard University, and George Mason University.

Free Research Field

考古学