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Ceramic Consumption and Manufacture in Naachtun During the Preclassic and Early Classic Periods

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Ceramic Consumption and Manufacture in Naachtun During the Preclassic and Early Classic Periods University of Calgary PRISM: University of Calgary's Digital Repository Graduate Studies The Vault: Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2013-04-29 Pottery, Differentiation, Integration, and Politics: Ceramic Consumption and Manufacture in Naachtun during the Preclassic and Early Classic Periods Patiño-Contreras, Alejandro Patiño-Contreras, A. (2013). Pottery, Differentiation, Integration, and Politics: Ceramic Consumption and Manufacture in Naachtun during the Preclassic and Early Classic Periods (Unpublished doctoral thesis). University of Calgary, Calgary, AB. doi:10.11575/PRISM/27391 http://hdl.handle.net/11023/639 doctoral thesis University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission. Downloaded from PRISM: https://prism.ucalgary.ca UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Pottery, Differentiation, Integration, and Politics: Ceramic Consumption and Manufacture in Naachtun during the Preclassic and the Early Classic Periods. by Alejandro Patiño-Contreras A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULLFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR IN PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY CALGARY, ALBERTA APRIL, 2013 © Alejandro Patiño-Contreras 2013 Abstract My research evaluates to what extent transformations in regional networks of socio-economic interaction in the Maya lowlands triggered innovation in ceramic manufacture and consumption in Naachtun between the Late Preclassic and the Early Classic. Comparisons between the ceramic assemblages of the Kuts’ ceramic complex (Late Preclassic) and the Balam ceramic complex (Early Classic) of Naachtun and those documented in other sites in the Maya lowlands indicates that innovation peaked during times when individual socio-economic networks in the lowlands were poorly interconnected, as attested by sharp differences between the assemblages of Naachtun and those reported for other sites. In contrast, more steady and widespread forms of ceramic manufacture and consumption are attested when local and systems of social and economic interaction in the lowlands were tightly associated under the aegis of paramount centers such as El Mirador and Tikal ii Acknowledgements Firstly, I want to thank my dissertation advisor, Dr. Kathryn Reese-Taylor, for her guidance over all these years, and foremost her patience. As well, I’d like to expresss my gratefulness to Dr. Nicholas David (Department of Archaeology, University of Calgary), Dr. John Humphrey (Department of Greek and Roman Studies, University of Calgary), Dr. Lisa LeCount (Department of Anthropology, University of Alabama), and Dr. J. Scott Raymond (Department of Archaeology, University of Calgary) as members of my dissertation committee for their input and comments on the first drafts of this work. Their feedback increased greatly the quality of the contents presented in the present work. Any mistakes in this study are my fault only. Secondly, I’d like to express my gratitude to Dr. Philippe Nondédéo (Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique -University of Paris) and Dr. Dominique Michelet (Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique-University of Paris) for inviting me to participate in the 2010, 2011, and 2012 fieldwork seasons of the Naachtun-Peten Norte Archaeological Project in Guatemala. Their continuing support in the field and during the period of analysis of the ceramics was crucial for the success of my research. In addition, discussions with fellow ceramicist Dr. Mélanie Forné (CEMCA Guatemala) were of great importance to my research. Last, but not least, I’d like to thank Lic. Carlos Morales Aguilar and Lic. Martin Rangel Guillermo for their continuing support at all levels as project co-directors in Guatemala City and Peten. Authrorization to conduct archaeological research in Naachtun was granted by IDAEH, DEMOPRE, and the Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes of Guatemala. Third, I want to acknowledge the finantial aid provided by the Department of Archaeology of the University of Calgary, the Faculty of Graduate Studies of the University of Calgary and iii the Wenner-Gren Foundation (via a Wadsworth International Fellowship), which were indispensable equired to complete my graduate studies at the University of Calgary. Finally, I want to thank my family, in particular my parents Carmen and Gaston, my partner Vanessa, and my friends in Canada and Guatemala for their encouragement and support during all this years. Their unconditional love in times of joy and sorrow was crucial to complete my graduate degree. iv Table of Contents Abstract…………………………………………………………………………….………….....ii Acknowledgements………………………………………………….……………………….….iii Table of Contents………………………………………………………..……….……….……....v List of Tables……………………………………………………...……………………………...xi List of Figures and Illustrations……………………………...……………………….…...…….xiv List of Plates………………………………………...……………………………....………......xix Chapter 1: Introduction…………………………………...…………………………….…........1 1.1 Objectives and outline……………………………………………………….......................6 1.2 Working hypothesis of the present study……………………………………….………………………….……………..........10 1.3 Synthesis of this study……………………………………………………………….........14 Chapter 2: Theories on the Roles of Craftsmanship Realizing Society………………..…....17 2.1 Ceramic manufacture and consumption: addressing issues of affiliation in pre-industrial societies.....................................................................................................................................18 2.1.1 Manufacture……………………………………………………………………..…...…19 2.1.2 Consumption....................................................................................................................20 2.2 Traditional approaches to craftsmanship in archaeology...………...…………………………………………….……………………..…..21 2.2.1 Limitations of evolutionary and neo-evolutionary approaches to craft production…….24 2.3 The roles of order, legitimacy, and wealth connecting different instances of manufacture and consumption……….…………………………………………….……………………….26 2.4 Archaeological approaches to craftsmanship among the ancient Maya……………..…...30 2.4.1 Ritualistic models of the Maya…………………………………………………………31 2.4.2 Economic-ritualistic models of the Maya…………………………………………..…..32 2.4.3 Limitations of current analysis on ritual and economy in Maya archaeology………….34 2.4.4 Sameness and distinctiveness between the Late Preclassic and the Early Classic Maya…………………………………………………………………………………...……...36 2.5 Closing remarks…………………………………………………………………………..38 Chapter 3: The Late Preclassic and the Early Classic in the Central Lowlands………..….40 v 3.1 Previous studies on statehood among the ancient Maya from the Late Preclassic to the Early Classic periods………………………………………….………..……………..………………..….41 3.1.1 Centralists’ views on early Maya polities……………………………....…………….43 3.1.2 Heterarchists’ views on early Maya polities…………………………………..……...48 3.2 Coalescing ideologies and early Maya polities…………………………………..……..54 3.3 Closing remarks…………………………………………………………………..…......55 Chapter 4: Methodology and Results…………………………………………………..........57 4.1 The site of Naachtun: Research and history……………………………………………………………………….………………59 4.2 Characteristics of the study sample: precedence and chronology…………….………...68 4.2.1 Test pit 11 of Operation II.1………………….……………………………………….73 4.2.2 Test pit 5 of Operation II.2…………………….……………………………………...74 4.2.3 Test pit 7 of Operation II.2……………………….…………………………………...79 4.2.4 Test pit 8 of Operation II.2……………………….…………………………………...81 4.2.5 Chronological relations within and between Excavation Units in each Work Unit......83 4.3 The type-variety system………………………………………………………….…......89 4.3.1 The type-variety hierarchical system…………………………………………………90 4.3.2 Limitations of the type-variety system………………………………………….........94 4.3.3 Results of the type-variety classification of ceramics from stratified excavations and a chronological scheme for the early occupation of the site…………………………………95 4.3.3.1 Results of Test pit 11 of Operation II.1…………………………………….……...96 4.3.3.2 Results of Test pit 5 of Operation II.2………………………………………........107 4.3.3.3 Results of Test pit 7 of Operation II.2…………………………………….….......115 4.3.3.4 Restuls of Test pit 8 of Operation II.2………………………………………........118 4.3.4 A ceramic sequence and a scheme of ceramic development for the early occupation of Naachtun…………………………………………………………………….……….......124 4.3.4.1 Late Preclassic assemblages……………………………………………….….....137 4.4 Closing remarks………………………………………………………...…………....143 Chapter 5: Patterns of Pottery Manufacture and Consumption in the Late Preclassic and the Early Classic Periods……………………………………………….………..………..146 vi 5.1 Typological and formal characteristics of the ceramic assemblages of the Kuts’ and the Balam (early and late facets) ceramic complexes…………………………………………….147 5.1.1 Kuts’ ceramic complex: Late Preclassic period (Chicanel)…………………………….147 5.1.2 Balam ceramic complex, early facet: Early Classic period (Tzakol I)……………..…..152 5.1.3 Balam ceramic complex, late facet: Early Classic period (Tzakol II and III)……….....165 5.2 Patterns of development of ceramic manufacture and consumption in Naachtun during the Late Preclassic and the Early Classic periods as determined by the analysis of the type-variety classification………………………………………………………………………………......180 5.2.1 Ceramic manufacture
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