Decorating teeth with jewels may be a modern fad, but it seems the practice has roots dating back over a thousand years in Mexico. Archaeologists have uncovered the remarkable skeleton of an upper-class woman whose skull was intentionally deformed and her teeth encrusted with precious mineral stones, shedding new light on the ancient practices and beliefs of the Teotihuacan civilization.
The Enigmatic “Woman of Tlailotlacan”
The skeleton, dubbed “The Woman of Tlailotlacan,” was discovered near the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan, in a town called San Juan Evangelista. This 35-40 year old woman was laid to rest with 19 jars that likely served as ceremonial offerings. Her cranium was elongated through an extreme method of intentional deformation, a technique commonly used in southern Mesoamerica but not the central region where she was found, indicating she was a foreigner to the area.
Dental Modifications and Foreign Origins
One of the most distinctive features of the woman’s skeleton is the two round pyrite stones encrusted in her top front teeth. This was a dental modification technique used in Mayan regions of southern Mexico and Central America, suggesting she originated from those areas. She also wore a prosthetic lower tooth made of green serpentine, further reinforcing her foreign status within the Teotihuacan society.
The Mysteries of Teotihuacan
The ancient city of Teotihuacan, located some 30 miles north of Mexico City, was a thriving metropolis between the 1st and 8th centuries AD before its mysterious decline. The city, whose name means “the place where men become gods,” was home to towering pyramids and a complex society that worshipped eight deities and practiced human sacrifice. The discovery of this unusual female skeleton provides valuable insight into the social structure and beliefs of this long-lost civilization.
The skeleton of “The Woman of Tlailotlacan” is a remarkable archaeological find that sheds light on the diverse practices and beliefs of the Teotihuacan people. Her intentionally deformed skull, jewel-encrusted teeth, and prosthetic tooth all point to her high social status and foreign origins, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of this ancient Mexican civilization. As archaeologists continue to unravel the mysteries of Teotihuacan, discoveries like this one promise to reveal even more about the remarkable people who once inhabited this legendary place.
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