INVESTIGATIONS AT EL CHOLO: AN UPPER GENERAL VALLEY FUNERARY VILLLAGE IN THE DIQUIS SUBREGION, SOUTHERN COSTA RICA

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1 INVESTIGATIONS AT EL CHOLO: AN UPPER GENERAL VALLEY FUNERARY VILLLAGE IN THE DIQUIS SUBREGION, SOUTHERN COSTA RICA Roberto A Herrera This report summarizes the initial results obtained from dissertation investigations conducted at an Aguas Buenas (300 BC-AD 800) to early Chiriquí phase (AD ) mound complex known as El Cholo (SJ-59ECh) located in the Upper General Valley of the southern Costa Rican Diquís subregion (Figure 1). Using data from surface collection and excavations, this investigation analyzed site formation and associated behavioral processes underlying the construction of interconnected mounds comprising the architectural core of El Cholo (Figure 2). Previous research proposed that mounded sites in the Upper General area were possibly seats of emergent elites with mounds occupying central positions within two-tiered settlement hierarchies. Research at El Cholo set out to identify patterns that would support or falsify this assertion, additionally proposing alternative hypotheses using corporate/network dynamics and heterarchical, practice-based social models to parse the potential social variability noted for the region. Evidence suggests that the mounds at El Cholo, as opposed to being residential spaces, were rather accretional ceremonial and mortuary structures with evidence of periodic funerary and commensal depositional behavior present in the form of interment, concentrated thermal activity and intentional deposition of fragmented ceramic and lithic artifacts (Figures 3 to 5). Radiometric and ceramic evidence suggest that this form of ritual activity dates from the 2nd century AD to the 11th century AD with evidence further indicating interaction with both Atlantic/Caribbean social groups to the north as well as southern Panamanian polities. Importantly, the relatively uniform nature of mortuary ritual and attendant ceremonial material have implications for previous assumptions of hierarchy in the mid to late Formative in the Upper General Valley, as El Cholo appears to have been a manifestation of collective, corporate based behaviors rather than the result of centralized managerial or chiefly processes. While more research is necessary to fully assess these findings, this study underscores the need to re-evaluate the prevailing thinking regarding sociocultural change in the Upper General Valley, the Diquís subregion, as well as the encompassing area of Greater Chiriquí. This investigation suggests that there may have been a greater level of social variability in the region despite close proximity and an appearance of regional-scale uniformity and stability for Greater Chiriquí and the Isthmo Colombian Area in general. Roberto A Herrera, Hunter College, CUNY, Program in Religion, rherr@hunter.cuny.edu Keywords: Costa Rica, Isthmo-Colombian Area, Intermediate Area, Formative, Site Formation, Ritual, Hierarchy, Corporate, Network, Chiriqui, Costa Rica, Diquis, Isthmo-Colombian Area, Greater Chiriqui Permanent URI: Bounding coordinates (decimal degrees): West: 7.43 North: East: South: Citation Example: Roberto A Herrera (2016) Investigations at El Cholo: An Upper General Valley Funerary Villlage in the Diquis Subregion, Southern Costa Rica. SAA Current Research 269, accessed (current date) Current Research Online No: 269:1

2 Figure 1: Greater Chiriquí archaeological region with El Cholo and contemporary sites Current Research Online No: 269:2

3 Figure 2: Plan View of Architectural Core of El Cholo with proposed boundaries of structures. Current Research Online No: 269:3

4 Figure 3: Shattered Guarumal Vessel at Southern Operation G. Artifact was uncovered from a sealed context with evidencde of thermal activity present in the form of clouding, carbon sooting and thermally altered rock. Current Research Online No: 269:4

5 Figure 4: View north of Operation A funerary feature showing multi-stage nature and associated thermal activity Current Research Online No: 269:5

6 Figure 5: Northwest view of Operation D showing upper and emerging funerary features and thermal concentrations. Shattered ceramics and stone axes were located throughout the operation, located at the foot or the sides of features. Current Research Online No: 269:6 Powered by TCPDF (