ABSTRACT
Ceramic and other cultural information, human osteological and odonto-metric data, and information from historical, zoological, zooarchaeological and various geological contexts is presently under analysis. Various kinds of information have been presented regarding aesthetics, ritual practice, diffusion and culture change. The sources for dating and/or relative chronological placement of the sites have been: radiocarbon dates, ceramic and artifact analysis and changes in burial practices. A central purpose of the practice of tooth decoration was probably a rite of initiation or passage into adulthood. Dental decoration practices underwent a noticeable decline through time in the estuary region of West Mexico and apparently other parts of Mexico as well. Between 1967 and 1976 a research team of largely archaeologists, physical anthropologists and geologists participated in a reconnaissance and research expedition to the coastal Marismas Nacionales of western Mexico.
