[Overview]

The Marismas Nacionales is a large estuary in the states of Sinaloa and Nayarit on the west coast of Mexico. Archaeological investigations conduced by Stuart Scott in that area included burial mounds that date from 700 to 1300 CE (S. D. Scott 1967-1974). George Gill excavated three large burial mounds and studied the human remains (1971). This paper examines the remains of animals interred with the human burials. Associated directly wit the human remains were at least 42 dogs (Canis familaries) individuals, 13 of which are almost complete, allowing detailed measurements to describe the size and conformation of these animals. IN addition, at least six raccoons (Procyon lotor) accompanied the human skeletons. Of the 53 dog canines, 34 (64%) were broken during the life of the animal. Five of the nine raccoon skulls also had the front teeth shattered.

The presence of dog remains associated closely with human remains may represent the belief described by Sahagún that a dog is necessary to carry the master “across the nine rivers to the land of the dead” (Anderson and Dibble 1952). An incised design on a spindle whorl illustrate the conformation of at least some of the Marismas dogs, with pointed erect eras, upheld tail, and spots on the sides.