Archaeology of Teotihuacan, Mexico
Grave
15, the earliest burial documented, was associated with one of the sub-structures
found under, and predating the FSP. The stratigraphy indicates that it
predates Grave 12, which was found near Grave 15. Preserved skeletal remains,
which were found in anatomical position, include the pelvis, vertebral
column, and right ribs. According to Mexican physical anthropologists,
these bones came from a male between 25 to 29 years old, who was laid on
his back with a southwest-northeast orientation.Stratigraphic data indicate that the burial pit for Grave 12 was used
twice and looted twice. The first use was earlier than the FSP construction.
The pit was located 3 m west-southwest of the center of the pyramid, at
the ground level. The deviation from the axis of the FSP suggests that
it did not originally belong to the FSP complex, which exhibits highly
symmetric patterns of grave location (General Map).
The grave pit was square (3 m by 3 m) and dug into the subsoil (tepetate)
to a depth of 0.9 m. Although stratigraphic data are significantly disturbed
by later looting activities, they suggest that Grave 12 had been used as
an multiple grave associated with a structure that predated the FSP. The
grave was later disturbed and reused for one of the complex burials when
the construction of the FSP began. 
The grave was again seriously looted in a later Teotihuacan period, except
for a small portion around the northeastern corner. The pit was filled
again with secondary fill by the looters after they had emptied nearly
all the original contents belonging to these two ritual graves. However,
the looters left certain clue to reconstruct partially the second burial
context. A small quantity of human bone fragments and offerings was found
in the lowest levels of backfill of the pit.
Near
the northeast corner of the pit, bones in anatomical position belonging
to a human adult were discovered in the second fill. Although the skeleton
was incomplete, the bones indicate that the individual was buried in a
dorsal position with an east-west orientation. The hands seem to have been
tied behind the individual's back. Because the burial was covered when
the formation of the nucleus of the FSP began, Grave 12, made reusing an
earlier grave, seems to have consisted of several individuals who were
probably sacrificed for the FSP construction. It is however an open question
as to whether or not it also included individual(s) of high social status
who had died natural deaths.
