Constructing a kingdom

Architectural strategies and the nature of leadership at Postclassic Xaltocan, Mexico

Bibliographic Data

ID2405451
AuthorsKirby Farah (0000-0001-9877-110X, University of Southern California, corresponding author)
Year2019
Volume19
Issue1
Pages92-115
Publication date2019-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1469-6053 • E-ISSN: 1741-2951
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1469605318795519
OpenAlexW2888667263
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited43

This paper explores the diverse motivations, limitations, and political strategies that informed the architectural decisions made by the Postclassic (ad 900-1521) leaders of Xaltocan, Mexico. In the early 13th century-a period of political florescence at Xaltocan-local leaders embarked on an ambitious building program that included the construction of a monumental adobe platform which served as a base to the residential structures of Xaltocan's leaders. This paper investigates the significance of adobe bricks as a construction medium and outlines the various economic, social, and political factors that influenced the architectural decisions of Xaltocan's leaders. Analysis of these factors reveals the diverse strategies employed by Xaltocan's leaders to establish their legitimacy among their regional peers, assert their political dominance over their constituents, and foster a sense of unity within their home community

Adobe · Aesthetics · Archaeology · Art · Dominance (genetics · Kingdom · Legitimacy · Media studies · Period (music · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Social science · Sociology · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · History · Latin American history and culture · Law

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