Feasting at Coastal Shellmounds in Guerrero, Mexico

Three shellmounds, positioned on the inland margin of the Coyuca Lagoon in Guerrero, Mexico, consist of molluskan shells from taxa that live in lagoonal environments. Co-occurring ceramics are typical of local pottery dating to the Classic Period but are significantly restricted in diversity compared to pottery found at nearby coeval residential sites. Throughout the shellmounds potsherds from large, coarse-tempered cooking vessels occur with sherds from fine-tempered serving vessels, indicating that food was prepared and consumed at these locations. We propose these sites developed where local people repeatedly held feasts, resulting in the formation of these sites. This case study indicates that in Mesoamerica shellmounds can accumulate after the development of complex societies, and at locations away from sociopolitical centers.