The research conducted in this thesis aims to analyse the possible relationship between the Cocijo effigy vessels recovered from tomb contexts at Monte Alban and the four primary directions. The...Show moreThe research conducted in this thesis aims to analyse the possible relationship between the Cocijo effigy vessels recovered from tomb contexts at Monte Alban and the four primary directions. The Cocijo effigy vessels were crafted by the Zapotec people that inhabited the central valley of Oaxaca, Mexico and who founded Monte Alban around 500 BC. Cocijo was their deity of rain, storms, lightning and fertility and his imagery is extensively present at Monte Alban. The Zapotec people most likely had a worldview akin to a tiered cosmology. In this particular cosmological model, the four cardinal directions are of great importance. Yet, surprisingly little data concerning the four primary directions appears to be available when it comes to the Zapotec populations. Although the Cocijo effigy vessels have been extensively analysed and interpreted when it comes to their iconography, their actual function or the reason why they are located specifically in tomb contexts is still largely unknown. The research conducted in this thesis was aimed at finding new hypotheses through which the presence and function of these vessel may be explained. Through the combination of the iconographical data and physical data of the effigy vessels, the meaning which the Zapotec people probably ascribed to what they recognised as the primary directions and other proposed data on their cosmological models, a new hypothesis has been formed. It is proposed in this thesis, that the Cocijo effigy and its presence and function can be explained through its position relative to the cardinal directions. In the analyses, data concerning the tomb contexts at Monte Alban that yielded effigy vessels has been taken into account as well. The orientation of these tombs, as well as the position that the vessels had therein formed the backbone of the research conducted. Results show, that there is most likely a connection between the positioning of the Cocijo effigy vessels and the primary directions, yet it will warrant further research to arrive at more conclusive answers.Show less
This thesis focusses on the use and function of music and the so called Flower-flute in the Aztec culture, as well as the Toxcatl festival, in which this instrument played an important role. The...Show moreThis thesis focusses on the use and function of music and the so called Flower-flute in the Aztec culture, as well as the Toxcatl festival, in which this instrument played an important role. The Aztecs knew three different categories of music instruments; the aerophones, membranophones, and the idiophones. These instruments were mainly played by priests during public rituals. In the Aztec culture, music was seen as the voice of the gods through which the gods communicated with the world of humans. This was also the case with the Toxcatl festival, in which the Flower-flute played a central part. During this festival, one prisoner was chosen to impersonate the deity Tezcatlipoca for one year. During this year he would play the Flower-flute after which he would break it on the stairs of a temple. In this festival and instrument, a lot of symbolical meanings are embedded; like the fact that the breaking of the flutes stood symbol for the temporary break of relations between the gods and humans. In this thesis, the Flower-flute was mainly analysed as a sound artefact, leaving slightly aside its symbolical meanings. For instance, there is a possibility that this instrument was played in a major pentatonic scale. There is also a possibility that the flute had a more rhythmic function than a solely melodical function. The exterior of the flute does contain some decorations that possess a symbolical meaning; on some flutes the 4-tonalli sign is present, which refers to the four cardinal directions of the Aztec cosmovision. The flute also has a decoration in the form of two or three red stripes that resemble the fabrication of ancient reed flutes, therefore, suggesting a connection with ancestor veneration.Show less
The goal of this bachelor thesis is to answer the research question; What is the discourse on Aztec human sacrifices from the Late Post classic period in the Valley of Mexico and does it coincide...Show moreThe goal of this bachelor thesis is to answer the research question; What is the discourse on Aztec human sacrifices from the Late Post classic period in the Valley of Mexico and does it coincide with the contemporary Aztec museum exhibitions? Sixteenth century chronicles, mainly Sahagun’s, were used and more recent literature. Three museum exhibitions were chosen; two from London and one from New York. The research showed that in time the authors of the literature became more considerate and less prejudiced towards the Aztec culture and placed the human sacrifice in more proper context, even though all sources originated from the sixteenth and seventeenth century chronicles. The three recent museum exhibitions did not display many artefacts that pertain to the sacrificial ritual but reviews concerning the show were nevertheless negative, which is the result of several factors including literature, media, education, and methods of display of the Aztec museum exhibitions. This information led to the conclusion that the discourse on Aztec human sacrifices does not entirely coincide with the chosen recent museum exhibitions.Show less
Research master thesis | Archaeology (research) (MA/MSc)
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The research is an ethnographic fieldwork in combination with a library research. The information that is used comes from archaeological, historical and ethnographical sources. The ethnographical...Show moreThe research is an ethnographic fieldwork in combination with a library research. The information that is used comes from archaeological, historical and ethnographical sources. The ethnographical research was performed in the province of Jujuy in Argentina. The native people of Jujuy are Collas. They have lost many characteristics of their culture, but they preserve some cultural traits, like agriculture, the gathering and production of salt, the making of traditional music instruments, weaving techniques, the cult to the Pacha Mama and many beliefs and rituals that are combined with the catholic religion. Textiles form a vital part of the Andean society. They have a social and cultural meaning and are used as a form of visual language that is understood by both the weaver and its community. All the aspects giving “life” to textiles, such as their symbols, motives, weaving techniques, the weaver, etc., reflect religious concepts and the social and cultural meaning that they have. Furthermore, textiles are fixed in the cultural memory and identity of the native communities of Jujuy. The cultural identity of theses cultures are materialized in their textiles. This Master thesis focuses on the native communities in the province of Jujuy, Argentina and how their inhabitants experience, live, practice and create their cultural identity through the practice of Andean weaving. The thesis tries to interpret the recuperation of this old Andean weaving practice as a constructor and invigorator of the cultural identity of these native communities.Show less
