Trees and shrubs: the use of wood in prehispanic Teotihuacan

Charcoal recovered from different archaeological excavations carried out in the Teotihuacan Valley, México was used to evaluate whether significant changes in the use of wood took place through time (approx. 400 B.C.–A.D. 1500). Sixteen taxa of trees and shrubs characteristic of the Basin of Mexico were identified (including Pinus, Quercus, Arbutus, Cupressaceae, Alnus, Prunus, Taxodium, Salix, Baccharis and Buddleia, among others). Variations in the proportions of taxa are interpreted as a reflection of the intensity of use rather than an indicator of deforestation. The analysis of the data shows a pattern of continuity in the utilization of taxa throughout the occupation. This includes the use of different vegetative parts (trunk and branches), genera and species with different life forms (trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants) and primary (Pinus and Quercus) as well as secondary taxa (Prunus and Arbutus). We propose that the inhabitants of the Teotihuacan Valley implemented practices to manage vegetation in order to assure resource availability in the region.