Abstract

GALVAN-ESCOBEDO, Iris G. et al. Recovery and identification of archeobotanical macroremains of the National Museum of Cultures, Mexico City. Polibotánica [online]. 2015, n.39, pp.133-149. ISSN 1405-2768.

Archeological excavations were carried out in the building that houses the National Museum of Cultures (Museo Nacional de las Culturas, MNC), which is located in the historical center of Mexico City. The present research derives from these archeological works, whose objective was the recovery of archaeobotanical remains contained in the sediment deposits of such excavations with the purpose of establishing the paleoecological conditions of the region and the possible use of plants. Fifty sediment samples, which corresponded chronologically to the end of the prehispanic period and the beginning of the colonial era in Mexico (from the XVI to the XIX century), were analyzed. The vegetable remains recovered were seeds and wood fragments, which represented 36 genres and one family, and from which the use of some plants was inferred: food, medicine, ceremonial and building purposes. Other samples provided information about the vegetation in the region.

Keywords : botanic macroremains; sediment; seeds; woods; archaeological excavations.