The Abejas Phase, also known as the Late Archaic, is the fourth phase of the
Tehuacán Valley of Mexico sequence, dating from 3825 to 2600 BC. Although the Tehuacán Valley sequence of phases has become one of the most famous phase sequences for any region in
Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica is a historical region and cultural area that begins in the southern part of North America and extends to the Pacific coast of Central America, thus comprising the lands of central and southern Mexico, all of Belize, Guatemala, El S ...
, very few sites from these phases are known.
Description
Following the Ajuereado,
El Riego, and the Coxcatlan phase, and followed by the Purron and Ajalpan phases, Abejas is the fourth of six phases. The Abejas phase population may have been twice as large as its preceding phase, Coxcatlan. This period is marked by the appearance of campsites and permanent settlements installed on river terraces, a noticeable decline in reliance on wild foods, domestication of plants (maize, beans, squash), and the appearance of long
obsidian
Obsidian ( ) is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed when lava extrusive rock, extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimal crystal growth. It is an igneous rock. Produced from felsic lava, obsidian is rich in the lighter element ...
blades During this phase,
agriculture
Agriculture encompasses crop and livestock production, aquaculture, and forestry for food and non-food products. Agriculture was a key factor in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created ...
supplies 25% of food requirements. Also during this phase, new material culture innovation arose such as split-stitch
basketry
Basket weaving (also basketry or basket making) is the process of weaving or sewing pliable materials into three-dimensional artifacts, such as baskets, mats, mesh bags or even furniture. Craftspeople and artists specialized in making baskets ...
, stone bowls and jars.
Sites
Sites associated with the Abejas phase include:
Coxcatlan Cave,
San Marcos Cave (Tehuacan), Abejas Cave,
Purron Cave and an area near
Chilac. However,
Cueva Blanca is the only excavated site assigned to this time period.
[{{cite book, last=Richard and Macleod, first=Richard E. W. and Murdo J., title=The Cambridge History of the Native Peoples of the Americas, year=2000, publisher=Cambridge University Press, location=Cambridge]
Other Information
Although the evidence of
dogs in mesoamerica dates back to Paleoindian times, the oldest remains of domesticated dogs in
Middle America are from about 5,000 years ago – from the Abejas phase.
References
Mesoamerica
Pre-Columbian cultures of Mexico