In the western regions of Mesoamerica, a flourishing tomb culture existed, apparently unrelated to contemporary highland civilizations but linked by sea with north-west South America.
Bee-hive shaped tombs, sometimes with a number of chambers, were cut deep into the local volcanic rock and used for the burial of family groups or lineages over a long period.
Unfortunately we can learn few details of the use of these tombs as all the fine pottery and beautiful figurines with which they were furnished have been looted.
The figurines give a very detailed picture of the life of these people: they include models of houses and even complete villages with temples, ballcourt scenes, individuals engaged in everyday activities such as carrying loads of pottery, and animals.
Among these were dogs, evidently the edible barkless variety, fattened up for human consumption.
