Caring for the Dead: Plant Uses as Mortuary Offerings at Monte Albán

Abstract The ancient Zapotec city of Monte Albán (Oaxaca, Mexico) has been a focal point of numerous archaeological studies. It has long been presumed that grave offerings included a number of botanical elements such as maize. In this study, we examine botanical remains from vessels and sediment samples collected from mortuary contexts to provide new information on those meaningful rites. We considered the relationship between botanical mortuary offerings and the social status of interred individuals at the Zapotec site. We determined that there were no clear relationships between the status of the deceased and plants used as offerings. This study demonstrates the potential for future paleoethnobotanical studies targeting mortuary contexts and public rituals to provide novel information regarding ancient lifeways and beliefs.