부산대학교 도서관

Archaeological Evidence of the Cultural Importance of Agave spp . in Pre-Hispanic Colima, Mexico. Production of agave-based food and fermented alcoholic beverages was highly relevant culturally and socially in pre-European contact western Mesoamerica. It has been hypothesized that agave distillation in western Mexico began in Colima in the early Colonial Era through adaptation of introduced Filipino techniques. Archaeological evidence is presented confirming the cultural and social significance of agave in Colima before contact, one of the fundamental conditions supporting this hypothesis. An analysis of circular subterranean stone structures in residential and ceremonial contexts (Classic and Postclassic periods: 200--1500 common era [CE]), and a comparison with stone ovens currently used to cook agave for the creation of spirits, indicate these structures were probably used for preparing food, including agave. Analysis of funerary ceramic vessel offerings with agave images (Colima phase: 400--600 CE) are reported for the first time. Their characteristics, and those of the associated burials and tombs, suggest those buried were agave growers or alcoholic beverage producers who fulfilled relevant roles in the society. Most of the agave images probably represent Agave angustifolia Lem and its cultivation. During the Colonial Era, the cultural and social relevance of agaves almost disappeared in Colima, possibly due to drastic reductions in the native human population, changing land use practices, and prohibitions against the production and sale of native alcoholic beverages. Abstract (Spanish): Evidencias Arqueologicas de la Importancia Cultural de Agave spp. en la Colima Pre-Hispanica, Mexico. En el occidente de la Mesoamerica prehispanica, se elaboraban alimentos y bebidas alcoholicas fermentadas de agave con alta relevancia cultural y social. Se ha hipotetizado que en el occidente de Mexico la destilacion de agave se origino en Colima en la epoca Colonial temprana a traves de la adaptacion de las tecnicas introducidas de Filipinas. Se presentan evidencias arqueologicas que confirman la importancia cultural y social de los agaves en Colima en la epoca precolombina, uno de los fundamentos de esta hipotesis. El analisis de estructuras circulares de piedra en contextos residenciales y ceremoniales (Clasico y Post-clasico: 200-1500 d.C.) y su comparacion con hornos de piedra actualmente usados para cocer agaves para elaborar bebidas destiladas, indica que estas estructuras fueron probablemente usadas para preparar alimentos, incluyendo agaves. Se reportan por primera vez ofrendas funerarias de vasijas de ceramica con representaciones de agaves (Fase Colima: 400--600 d.C.). Sus caracteristicas, y las de los entierros y tumbas asociados, sugieren que los personajes enterrados eran probablemente productores de agaves o de bebidas alcoholicas que tenian un papel relevante en la sociedad. La mayoria de las imagenes de agave son probablemente representaciones de Agave angustifolia Lem. y su cultivo. La relevancia cultural y social de los agaves en Colima decrecio en la epoca Colonial hasta casi desaparecer, debido posiblemente al severo decremento de la poblacion nativa, los cambios en las practicas agricolas, y las prohibiciones de elaborar y comercializar las bebidas alcoholicas nativas.