Ancient and modern use of pine at the site of Chinikihá, Chiapas, México

Abstract

Archaeobotanical remains of ocote pine have been recovered from different Classic Period (AD 300 - 900) Maya sites indicating use in ritual ceremonies and in household refuse for the fertilization of agricultural fields. Our results in the Palenque region, at the archaeological site of Chinikihá dating to Cal AD 620, suggest that there was no difference in the use of ocote in the residential units compared to that in the palace units. Ocote wood charcoal remains were found in ceremonial contexts, burials, household refuse deposited in home gardens, and patio’s soils. We consider the ancient use of ocote pine alongside modern use of ocote in Guatemala and Chiapas, which has an economic importance with the cutting of pine sticks to sell in regional markets to use as torch for illumination and lighting daily cooking fires.