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

A new analysis of botanical remains from Monte Albán, Oaxaca, reveals that mortuary offerings—such as maize and other plants—were not tied to the social status of the deceased. Contrary to long-standing assumptions, this study found no clear relationship between the types of plant offerings and the rank or identity of individuals interred at the ancient Zapotec site. Researchers examined vessels and sediment samples from mortuary contexts using paleoethnobotanical methods to reconstruct burial practices. The findings suggest that while plants played a significant ritual role in caring for the dead, their selection was not strictly hierarchical. This work highlights the potential of mortuary studies to deepen our understanding of ancient beliefs and social structures, offering new insights into Zapotec funerary traditions.

Bérubé, É., Martínez López, C., & Carpenter, L. B. (2025). Caring for the Dead: Plant Uses as Mortuary Offerings at Monte Albán. Latin American Antiquity, 37(2), 385–402. https://doi.org/10.1017/laq.2024.53