Geoffrey G Mccafferty
Biographic Data
| ID | 305526 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Geoffrey G Mccafferty |
| GIVEN NAMES | Geoffrey G |
| FAMILY NAME | Mccafferty |
| SIGNATURE | MCCAFFERTY G G |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Calgary |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 19 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 162 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 19 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1994 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2023 |
| H-INDEX | 8 |
Editors' Corner
An abstract is not available for this content. As you have access to this content, full HTML content is provided on this page. A PDF of this content is also available in through the ‘Save PDF’ action button
Cholula: The Mall of [Meso]america
Ethnohistoric sources describe the market of Postclassic Cholula as featuring goods from throughout Mesoamerica. Furthermore, the merchant guilds centered in the city, followers of the god Yacatecuhtli/Quetzalcoatl, were elevated to princely status. Contact-period sources also describe the political organization of the city, in which these merchant princes played a prominent role. The far-flung influence of the religio-commercial diaspora is repr…
Praying to the Predator
Pacific Nicaragua has long been recognized as a cultural crossroads, with groups of historically documented migrants from central Mexico integrating with Chibchan groups affiliated with Central and South America. This multicultural setting has inspired decades of archaeological investigation, particularly in search of the southeastern frontier of the Mesoamerican culture area. Following ethnohistorical accounts, Nahuat-speaking groups migrated in…
Ancient mitochondrial DNA and population dynamics in postclassic Central Mexico: Tlatelolco (ad 1325-1520) and Cholula (ad 900-1350)
Weapons of Resistance: The Material Symbolics of Postclassic Mexican Spinning and Weaving
Material culture studies demonstrate how objects may act to communicate information regarding social identity. In this study we consider ethnohistorical, ethnographic, and archaeological evidence for Postclassic spinning and weaving as symbols relating to female ideology in ancient Mexico. We then relate a contextual interpretation of texts and images to contemporary symbolism, particularly associated with members of the female earth/fertility de…
Mountain of Heaven, Mountain of Earth: The Great Pyramid of Cholula as Sacred Landscape
The pre-Columbian cultures of Mesoamerica practiced a form of geomancy in which elements of the natural environment attained supernatural significance and were used to structure the cultural landscape. Thus caves, springs, mountains, and other natural formations were transformed into "cosmo-magical symbols" (Wheatley 1971) relating to mytho-religious beliefs. Tlachihualtepetl or "man-made mountain" as the Great Pyramid was known at the time of th…
The Mexican Legacy in Nicaragua, or Problems when Data Behave Badly
Investigations over the past 15 years have sought archaeological evidence for Mexican migrants to Pacific Nicaragua, as indicated in ethnohistorical origin myths and as embraced by contemporary popular culture. Extensive excavations at three Postclassic sites have provided evidence of domestic architecture, foodways, mortuary remains, and religious practices-all considered to be potential archaeological indicators of ethnicity, but none of which …
Archaeology on Mesoamerica's Southern Frontier
The southern frontier of Mesoamerica has fluctuated through time but has generally included portions of the Central American countries of El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Tied into this liminal status, the history of archaeological research and the development of archaeological institutions in these countries have varied, sometimes emphasizing “Mesoamerican-ness” and sometimes highlighting independent development. This article discusses th…
As the Whorl Turns: Function and Meaning in Mesoamerican Textile Production
Woven textiles were highly prized commodities in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, to the extent that they were commonly used as tribute items and even as a standard of value in commercial exchange. This article discusses ways that textile production has been approached archaeologically in terms of both its function and cultural meanings. Textile production was important both functionally and symbolically. Major female deities from throughout Mesoameric…
Comments on Kaufman and Justeson: “The History of the Word for Cacao in Ancient Mesoamerica”
Spinning and Weaving Tools From Santa Isabel, Nicaragua
Costume is one of the most significant forms of material culture in ethnographic contexts, yet remains of cloth are extremely rare at most archaeological sites. Artifacts that typically relate to textile production include spindle whorls and bone tools. This paper summarizes results of analyses of a large corpus of whorls and a remarkably extensive assemblage of bone tools from the Early Postclassic site of Santa Isabel in Pacific Nicaragua. Ethn…
Domestic Practice in Postclassic Santa Isabel, Nicaragua
Four seasons of excavation at the Santa Isabel site on the shore of Lake Nicaragua have recovered an extensive assemblage of material remains relating to Early Postclassic period (A.D. 800-1250) domestic practice. This paper reports initial project results, specifically relating to themes of architecture, foodways, specialized production, and belief systems. Exceptional preservation of organic materials such as faunal and botanical remains, as we…
Chronological Implications for Greater Nicoya From the Santa Isabel Project, Nicaragua
The Santa Isabel Project (Nicaragua) is investigating domestic remains from a supposed Postclassic/Ometepe-period regional center on the shore of Lake Nicaragua. However, a suite of twelve C-14 dates from the site suggests that the occupation predates the currently accepted time range for the Ometepe period by several hundred years, calling into question the periodization and associated cultural processes. This paper reports and contextualizes th…
Ceramics of Postclassic Cholula, Mexico: Typology and Seriation of Pottery from the UA-1 Domestic Compound
As the center for the religious cult of Quetzalcoatl, Cholula played a prominent role in shaping events of central Mexico’s Postclassic period. Yet confusion over historical events in Cholula itself have limited its place in recent archaeological considerations of Mesoamerica. Since ceramic sequences are the backbone of archaeological chronologies, this confusion ultimately relates to problems in previous attempts to order archaeological time wit…
Textile Production in Postclassic Cholula, Mexico
Colonial chroniclers marveled at the quality and variety of textiles produced at the Postclassic center of Cholula. As a principal market center, textiles were produced for tribute and exchange, and other woven goods were manufactured for local consumption. This paper examines ethnohistorical and archaeological evidence to interpret the technology, materials, scale, and social relations of textile production. Original spindle-whorl data from the …
The Ceramics and Chronology of Cholula, Mexico
Chronology is a fundamental prerequisite for problem-oriented, anthropologically relevant archaeology. It is also the shaky foundation that has hampered attempts to reconstruct the culture history of Cholula, Mexico. Cholula is among the oldest continuously occupied urban centers of the New World, yet it remains one of the most enigmatic. This paper evaluates previous cultural sequences for the site, and summarizes recent evidence to construct a …
Reinterpreting the Great Pyramid of Cholula, Mexico
The Great Pyramid of Cholula is both the largest and oldest continuously occupied building in Mesoamerica. Initial occupation of the ceremonial precinct began in the Late Formative period, and the first building stage of the pyramid dates to the Terminal Formative. The Great Pyramid was built in four major construction stages and at least nine minor modifications. Early stages shared stylistic similarities with Teotihuacan, but toward the end of …
Engendering Tomb 7 at Monte Alban: Respinning an Old Yarn [and Comments and Reply]
The Conquered Women of Cacaxtla: Gender identity or gender ideology
The vividly painted “Battle Mural” of Cacaxtla (Tlaxcala, Mexico) depicts the gory results of a battle between racially distinct factions, characterized by their opposing jaguar and bird insignia. The two central Bird figures that remain standing are shown as captives, and in both cases they are attired in elaborate costumes that include diagnostic items of female clothing, including thequechquemitlcape and long skirt. Other figures are nude or a…
Engendering Tomb 7 at Monte Alban: Respinning an Old Yarn [and Comments and Reply]
Textile Production in Postclassic Cholula, Mexico
Colonial chroniclers marveled at the quality and variety of textiles produced at the Postclassic center of Cholula. As a principal market center, textiles were produced for tribute and exchange, and other woven goods were manufactured for local consumption. This paper examines ethnohistorical and archaeological evidence to interpret the technology, materials, scale, and social relations of textile production. Original spindle-whorl data from the …
Reinterpreting the Great Pyramid of Cholula, Mexico
The Great Pyramid of Cholula is both the largest and oldest continuously occupied building in Mesoamerica. Initial occupation of the ceremonial precinct began in the Late Formative period, and the first building stage of the pyramid dates to the Terminal Formative. The Great Pyramid was built in four major construction stages and at least nine minor modifications. Early stages shared stylistic similarities with Teotihuacan, but toward the end of …
The Ceramics and Chronology of Cholula, Mexico
Chronology is a fundamental prerequisite for problem-oriented, anthropologically relevant archaeology. It is also the shaky foundation that has hampered attempts to reconstruct the culture history of Cholula, Mexico. Cholula is among the oldest continuously occupied urban centers of the New World, yet it remains one of the most enigmatic. This paper evaluates previous cultural sequences for the site, and summarizes recent evidence to construct a …
Ceramics of Postclassic Cholula, Mexico: Typology and Seriation of Pottery from the UA-1 Domestic Compound
As the center for the religious cult of Quetzalcoatl, Cholula played a prominent role in shaping events of central Mexico’s Postclassic period. Yet confusion over historical events in Cholula itself have limited its place in recent archaeological considerations of Mesoamerica. Since ceramic sequences are the backbone of archaeological chronologies, this confusion ultimately relates to problems in previous attempts to order archaeological time wit…
The Conquered Women of Cacaxtla: Gender identity or gender ideology
The vividly painted “Battle Mural” of Cacaxtla (Tlaxcala, Mexico) depicts the gory results of a battle between racially distinct factions, characterized by their opposing jaguar and bird insignia. The two central Bird figures that remain standing are shown as captives, and in both cases they are attired in elaborate costumes that include diagnostic items of female clothing, including thequechquemitlcape and long skirt. Other figures are nude or a…
Domestic Practice in Postclassic Santa Isabel, Nicaragua
Four seasons of excavation at the Santa Isabel site on the shore of Lake Nicaragua have recovered an extensive assemblage of material remains relating to Early Postclassic period (A.D. 800-1250) domestic practice. This paper reports initial project results, specifically relating to themes of architecture, foodways, specialized production, and belief systems. Exceptional preservation of organic materials such as faunal and botanical remains, as we…
Ancient mitochondrial DNA and population dynamics in postclassic Central Mexico: Tlatelolco (ad 1325-1520) and Cholula (ad 900-1350)
Spinning and Weaving Tools From Santa Isabel, Nicaragua
Costume is one of the most significant forms of material culture in ethnographic contexts, yet remains of cloth are extremely rare at most archaeological sites. Artifacts that typically relate to textile production include spindle whorls and bone tools. This paper summarizes results of analyses of a large corpus of whorls and a remarkably extensive assemblage of bone tools from the Early Postclassic site of Santa Isabel in Pacific Nicaragua. Ethn…
Weapons of Resistance: The Material Symbolics of Postclassic Mexican Spinning and Weaving
Material culture studies demonstrate how objects may act to communicate information regarding social identity. In this study we consider ethnohistorical, ethnographic, and archaeological evidence for Postclassic spinning and weaving as symbols relating to female ideology in ancient Mexico. We then relate a contextual interpretation of texts and images to contemporary symbolism, particularly associated with members of the female earth/fertility de…
Chronological Implications for Greater Nicoya From the Santa Isabel Project, Nicaragua
The Santa Isabel Project (Nicaragua) is investigating domestic remains from a supposed Postclassic/Ometepe-period regional center on the shore of Lake Nicaragua. However, a suite of twelve C-14 dates from the site suggests that the occupation predates the currently accepted time range for the Ometepe period by several hundred years, calling into question the periodization and associated cultural processes. This paper reports and contextualizes th…
Cholula: The Mall of [Meso]america
Ethnohistoric sources describe the market of Postclassic Cholula as featuring goods from throughout Mesoamerica. Furthermore, the merchant guilds centered in the city, followers of the god Yacatecuhtli/Quetzalcoatl, were elevated to princely status. Contact-period sources also describe the political organization of the city, in which these merchant princes played a prominent role. The far-flung influence of the religio-commercial diaspora is repr…
The Mexican Legacy in Nicaragua, or Problems when Data Behave Badly
Investigations over the past 15 years have sought archaeological evidence for Mexican migrants to Pacific Nicaragua, as indicated in ethnohistorical origin myths and as embraced by contemporary popular culture. Extensive excavations at three Postclassic sites have provided evidence of domestic architecture, foodways, mortuary remains, and religious practices-all considered to be potential archaeological indicators of ethnicity, but none of which …
Engendering Tomb 7 at Monte Alban: Respinning an Old Yarn [and Comments and Reply]
The Conquered Women of Cacaxtla: Gender identity or gender ideology
The vividly painted “Battle Mural” of Cacaxtla (Tlaxcala, Mexico) depicts the gory results of a battle between racially distinct factions, characterized by their opposing jaguar and bird insignia. The two central Bird figures that remain standing are shown as captives, and in both cases they are attired in elaborate costumes that include diagnostic items of female clothing, including thequechquemitlcape and long skirt. Other figures are nude or a…
The Ceramics and Chronology of Cholula, Mexico
Chronology is a fundamental prerequisite for problem-oriented, anthropologically relevant archaeology. It is also the shaky foundation that has hampered attempts to reconstruct the culture history of Cholula, Mexico. Cholula is among the oldest continuously occupied urban centers of the New World, yet it remains one of the most enigmatic. This paper evaluates previous cultural sequences for the site, and summarizes recent evidence to construct a …
Reinterpreting the Great Pyramid of Cholula, Mexico
The Great Pyramid of Cholula is both the largest and oldest continuously occupied building in Mesoamerica. Initial occupation of the ceremonial precinct began in the Late Formative period, and the first building stage of the pyramid dates to the Terminal Formative. The Great Pyramid was built in four major construction stages and at least nine minor modifications. Early stages shared stylistic similarities with Teotihuacan, but toward the end of …
Textile Production in Postclassic Cholula, Mexico
Colonial chroniclers marveled at the quality and variety of textiles produced at the Postclassic center of Cholula. As a principal market center, textiles were produced for tribute and exchange, and other woven goods were manufactured for local consumption. This paper examines ethnohistorical and archaeological evidence to interpret the technology, materials, scale, and social relations of textile production. Original spindle-whorl data from the …
Ceramics of Postclassic Cholula, Mexico: Typology and Seriation of Pottery from the UA-1 Domestic Compound
As the center for the religious cult of Quetzalcoatl, Cholula played a prominent role in shaping events of central Mexico’s Postclassic period. Yet confusion over historical events in Cholula itself have limited its place in recent archaeological considerations of Mesoamerica. Since ceramic sequences are the backbone of archaeological chronologies, this confusion ultimately relates to problems in previous attempts to order archaeological time wit…
Chronological Implications for Greater Nicoya From the Santa Isabel Project, Nicaragua
The Santa Isabel Project (Nicaragua) is investigating domestic remains from a supposed Postclassic/Ometepe-period regional center on the shore of Lake Nicaragua. However, a suite of twelve C-14 dates from the site suggests that the occupation predates the currently accepted time range for the Ometepe period by several hundred years, calling into question the periodization and associated cultural processes. This paper reports and contextualizes th…
Spinning and Weaving Tools From Santa Isabel, Nicaragua
Costume is one of the most significant forms of material culture in ethnographic contexts, yet remains of cloth are extremely rare at most archaeological sites. Artifacts that typically relate to textile production include spindle whorls and bone tools. This paper summarizes results of analyses of a large corpus of whorls and a remarkably extensive assemblage of bone tools from the Early Postclassic site of Santa Isabel in Pacific Nicaragua. Ethn…
Domestic Practice in Postclassic Santa Isabel, Nicaragua
Four seasons of excavation at the Santa Isabel site on the shore of Lake Nicaragua have recovered an extensive assemblage of material remains relating to Early Postclassic period (A.D. 800-1250) domestic practice. This paper reports initial project results, specifically relating to themes of architecture, foodways, specialized production, and belief systems. Exceptional preservation of organic materials such as faunal and botanical remains, as we…
Comments on Kaufman and Justeson: “The History of the Word for Cacao in Ancient Mesoamerica”
Archaeology on Mesoamerica's Southern Frontier
The southern frontier of Mesoamerica has fluctuated through time but has generally included portions of the Central American countries of El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Tied into this liminal status, the history of archaeological research and the development of archaeological institutions in these countries have varied, sometimes emphasizing “Mesoamerican-ness” and sometimes highlighting independent development. This article discusses th…
As the Whorl Turns: Function and Meaning in Mesoamerican Textile Production
Woven textiles were highly prized commodities in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, to the extent that they were commonly used as tribute items and even as a standard of value in commercial exchange. This article discusses ways that textile production has been approached archaeologically in terms of both its function and cultural meanings. Textile production was important both functionally and symbolically. Major female deities from throughout Mesoameric…
The Mexican Legacy in Nicaragua, or Problems when Data Behave Badly
Investigations over the past 15 years have sought archaeological evidence for Mexican migrants to Pacific Nicaragua, as indicated in ethnohistorical origin myths and as embraced by contemporary popular culture. Extensive excavations at three Postclassic sites have provided evidence of domestic architecture, foodways, mortuary remains, and religious practices-all considered to be potential archaeological indicators of ethnicity, but none of which …
Mountain of Heaven, Mountain of Earth: The Great Pyramid of Cholula as Sacred Landscape
The pre-Columbian cultures of Mesoamerica practiced a form of geomancy in which elements of the natural environment attained supernatural significance and were used to structure the cultural landscape. Thus caves, springs, mountains, and other natural formations were transformed into "cosmo-magical symbols" (Wheatley 1971) relating to mytho-religious beliefs. Tlachihualtepetl or "man-made mountain" as the Great Pyramid was known at the time of th…
Ancient mitochondrial DNA and population dynamics in postclassic Central Mexico: Tlatelolco (ad 1325-1520) and Cholula (ad 900-1350)
Weapons of Resistance: The Material Symbolics of Postclassic Mexican Spinning and Weaving
Material culture studies demonstrate how objects may act to communicate information regarding social identity. In this study we consider ethnohistorical, ethnographic, and archaeological evidence for Postclassic spinning and weaving as symbols relating to female ideology in ancient Mexico. We then relate a contextual interpretation of texts and images to contemporary symbolism, particularly associated with members of the female earth/fertility de…
Praying to the Predator
Pacific Nicaragua has long been recognized as a cultural crossroads, with groups of historically documented migrants from central Mexico integrating with Chibchan groups affiliated with Central and South America. This multicultural setting has inspired decades of archaeological investigation, particularly in search of the southeastern frontier of the Mesoamerican culture area. Following ethnohistorical accounts, Nahuat-speaking groups migrated in…
Cholula: The Mall of [Meso]america
Ethnohistoric sources describe the market of Postclassic Cholula as featuring goods from throughout Mesoamerica. Furthermore, the merchant guilds centered in the city, followers of the god Yacatecuhtli/Quetzalcoatl, were elevated to princely status. Contact-period sources also describe the political organization of the city, in which these merchant princes played a prominent role. The far-flung influence of the religio-commercial diaspora is repr…
Editors' Corner
An abstract is not available for this content. As you have access to this content, full HTML content is provided on this page. A PDF of this content is also available in through the ‘Save PDF’ action button
Archaeology (13 works) · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies (13 works) · Art (12 works) · History (12 works) · Latin American history and culture (12 works) · Geography (10 works) · History (7 works) · Mesoamerica (5 works) · Sociology (5 works) · Aesthetics (4 works)