DOCSLIB.ORG

Ancient Maya: the Rise and Fall of a Rainforest Civilization Arthur Demarest Index More Information

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Ancient Maya: the Rise and Fall of a Rainforest Civilization Arthur Demarest Index More Information Cambridge University Press 0521592240 - Ancient Maya: The Rise and Fall of a Rainforest Civilization Arthur Demarest Index More information Index Abaj Takalik (Guatemala) 64, 67, 69, 72, animals 76, 78, 84, 102 association with kings and priests 184, aboriculture 144–145 185 acropoli see epicenters and bird life, rain forests 123–126 agriculture 117–118 and rulers 229 animal husbandry 145 apiculture 145 Classic period 90, 146–147 archaeology effects of the collapse, Petexbatun 254 and chronology 17, 26 operations in relation to the role of elites and cultural evolution 22–23, 26, 27 and rulers 213 history 31 post-Spanish Conquest 290 genesis of scientific archaeology 37–41 Postclassic period, Yucatan 278 multidisciplinary archaeology 41–43 in relation to kingship 206 nineteenth century 34–37 specialization 166 Spanish Conquest 31–33 and trade 150 processual archaeology 23, 26 see also farming practices; gardens; rain settlement pattern archaeology 50, 52 forests architecture 99 Aguateca 230, 251, 252, 259, 261 corbeled vault architecture 90, 94, 95 craft production 164 northern lowlands, Late Classic period destruction 253 235–236 specialist craft production 168 Puuc area, Late Classic period 236 Ajaw complex 16 roof combs 95 ajaws, cult 103 talud-tablero architectural facades alliances, and vassalages 209 (Teotihuacan) 105, 108 Alm´endariz, Ricardo 33 Arroyo de Piedras (western Pet´en)259 alphabet 46, 48 astronomy 201 Alta Vista 79 and astrology 192–193 Altar de Sacrificios (Petexbatun) 38, 49, Atlantis (lost continent) 33, 35 81, 256, 261 autosacrifices 158, 176, 183 collapse 267, 275 family cults 189, 190 and the obsidian trade 163 Aztecs political developments and trade, Late and the chocolate trade 153 Classic period 229 ideologies, effects on cultural evolution altars 90, 91 29 and stelae 96, 98 trading practices 152 Alvarado, Pedro de 287 Anales de los Kaqchikeles 284 Bakabs (gods) 181, 182 ancestor worship 96, 117, 176–177, 178, Balberta 67, 76, 78 191, 296 balche 144, 145, 192 Postclassic period, Yucatan 279 bands 57 see also burials Becan 82 364 © Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org Cambridge University Press 0521592240 - Ancient Maya: The Rise and Fall of a Rainforest Civilization Arthur Demarest Index More information Index 365 Becan (Campeche), political development and the obsidian trade 163 222 political dominance by Calakmul 225 Belize and trade routes 162 collapse 266–268 Late Classic period 228–229, 230 hard stone trade 156 capitals, relocation, links with K’atun and the obsidian trade 163 endings 279, 283 political fortunes 111 Caracol (Belize) 100, 265, 268 Postclassic period 283 agricultural activities 117, 147 Pulltrouser Swamp, raised field farming terracing 133, 135 methods 135 collapse 267 salt trade 152 epicenter 107 Belize River Valley, terracing 133, 138 evidence of Tikal’s political dominance Berlin, Heinrich 45, 47, 209 106 Bernasconi, Antonio 33 political development 223–224, 226 bird and animal life, rain forests 123–126 Late Classic period 235 Bonampak, murals 230, 231 population 120, 214 Bowditch, C. P. 36 regional power 217 Brasseur de Bourbourg 36 royal palaces 116 Buena Vista 67, 78 state control 213 Bullard, William 49 and trade 151, 173 burials 116, 176–177, 191 Carnegie Institute (Washington) 41, 42, see also ancestor worship 43 Casta˜neda,Jose 33, 34 Caana (Caracol), temple 224 Catherwood, Frederick 4, 31, 32, 33, 34, cacao industry 144, 166 37, 282 Cahal Pech (Belize), political development, caves, sacred nature 202–204, 205 Late Classic period 235 Cays, trading importance 282 Calakmul (Campeche) 83, 100, 103, ceramics 40, 42 229 ‘Chicanel’ pottery 42 agricultural systems 147 Classic period 90 canal systems 142, 143 as evidence of the development of Maya collapse 264 civilization 58–60 and the collapse of Dos Pilas 249 Mamom ceramics 42, 81 political development 108 northern lowlands, Late Classic period and interregional alliances 222, 235 223–226 Puuc area, Late Classic period 236 and interregional conflicts 244 ruler with ‘Tlaloc’ eye treatment, population 120, 214 Teotihuacan 109 regional power 215, 217 Seibal, collapse of western Pet´en261, state control 213 262 and trade 151, 173 slab-tripod vessels, Teotihuacan 105, calendars 32, 36, 44, 183 108 Calendar Round and almanacs 190, Tzakol ceramics 101, 103 192, 193–196 use for dating purposes 101–102, 103 see also time see also crafts; trade Campeche (R´ıoBec region) ceramics industry 166 irrigation systems 235 and trade 148, 169, 170 terraced farming methods 138, 142 Cerros (Belize) 83, 87, 103 canal systems 141, 143 agricultural activities 117 Cancuen 104, 220, 230 canal systems 141 alliance with Dos Pilas 250 cosmogram of Preclassic temple 182 burial site 178 Chaaks (rain deities) 179, 181, 182 control of trade routes 173 Chaccob (Yucatan), fortifications 271 farming methods 139 Chachuapa 85 hard stone trade 154 Chalcatzingo (Morelos) 64 © Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org Cambridge University Press 0521592240 - Ancient Maya: The Rise and Fall of a Rainforest Civilization Arthur Demarest Index More information 366 Index Chalchuapa 102 Copan Valley Charnay, D´esir´e34 demography and the collapse of Maya “check” dams, use for farming 137 civilization 246 chert (flint) 149, 155, 158, 166, 173 farming methods 139 Chiapas, salt trade 152 Cortez, Hern´an287 Chichen Itza (Yucatan) 38, 39, 42 cotton industry 154, 155, 166 collapse 268, 270, 271–274 couvade 188 destruction 280 Cozumel, trading importance 282 epicenter 201, 202 crafts chiefdoms 57 production and specialization 163–164, evolution in Maya civilization 60 171 Kaminaljuyu 74 attached to elite groups 167–171 Chilam Balam 42 community production 166–167 Chitinamit (Tzutuhil capital) 285, household production 165–166 287 see also ceramics; trade Churchward, James 34, 35 Cuca (Yucatan), fortifications 271, 272 cities 51 Cuello 81, 82, 83 abandonment 5–6 cultural evolution 21–23, 25–27 see also epicenters and ideologies 25, 28–30 Ciudad Real, Antonio de 33, 37 and the Maya 24–25, 27–28, 30 civilizations decline 240–242 deer, hunting 145–146 development 4–5, 6 del Rio, Antonio 33 climate, and the collapse of Petexbatun demography, effects on infrastructure, and region 256 the collapse of Maya civilization 245 Coapexco (central Mexico) 64 diet 8 Coba (Yucatan) Dos Pilas (Pet´en)97, 229, 230 architecture, Late Classic period 236 Murcielagos palace in relation to cave collapse 268, 269, 270–271 systems 204 political fortunes 110 and the obsidian trade 157, 158 Cocom lineage 280 political dominance by Calakmul 224, Coe, William 50 225, 226 Colha (Belize) royal palaces 116 chert industry 166, 173 trading role 149 collapse 267 Dos Pilas (Petexbatun), collapse 249–252, Colha Pech (Belize), political 257 development, Late Classic period Dupaix, Guillermo 33 235 Dzibilchaltun (northern Yucatan) 49, 81, Conquistadors 286–287 82, 103 Copan 42, 104 trading role 220 autosacrifices 189 Dzonot Ake (Yucatan), fortifications 271 collapse 263, 265, 269, 275 epicenter 94, 107 eccentrics 157 evidence of Tikal’s political dominance ecology 106 and the collapse of Petexbatun region Mexican influence upon through 256 Teotihuacan 105 effects on Mayan cultural evolution 28, and the obsidian trade 158, 160 30 political development 218 effects on population settlements 99 and interregional conflicts 244 see also rain forests Late Classic period 231–235 economics 148–149 regional power 215 operations in relation to the role of elites ritual function as reflected in and rulers 213 architecture 205 Postclassic period, Yucatan 278 stelae 98 see also trade © Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org Cambridge University Press 0521592240 - Ancient Maya: The Rise and Fall of a Rainforest Civilization Arthur Demarest Index More information Index 367 Edzna slash-and-burn practices 44, 51, agricultural systems 146 130–132 canal systems 141, 142 terracing 132–133, 134, 135, 142 ceramics 236 see also agriculture irrigation systems 236 F¨orstmann, Ernst 36 state control 213, 221 Fried, Morton, on political complexities in egalitarian societies 57 human societies 57 Egypt, political dynamics 238 Ek Balam (Yucatan), fortifications 271 Galindo, Juan (governor of Pet´enprovince) El Duende (Petexbatun) 252 33, 37 El Mesak (Guatemala) 64 gardens Olmec were-jaguar figure 65 rejolladas gardens El Mirador (Pet´en)83–84, 85, 87, 103 cacao cultivation 144, 153 agricultural systems 146 use for farming 137 regional power 215 stone box gardens 138, 139 and trade 148, 151, 161, 162 see also agriculture use of bajos for farming 138 glyphs, emblem glyphs, role in determining water supplies 141 Maya political dynamics 209–211, El Peru (Pet´en)2 212, 214 elites gods accommodation 93 and cosmology 177–183 as affected by warfare and the payment glyphic and iconographic symbols for of tribute 172 deities 181 control of specialist craft production see also ideologies 167, 168 Goodman, Joseph 36 control of trade in high-status goods Gordon, George 38 160–162 government, post-Spanish Conquest 290 culture 175 Guatemala, salt trade 152 inter-elite rivalry, effects 295 Mexican influence upon 284 Haab 193, 194, 195, 196 and the obsidian trade 158–160 hegemonies 285–286 polygamy, effects on decline of states 245 Hewett, Edgar 40 Postclassic period, Yucatan 278 hieroglyphics, decipherment 48 role in the collapse 257, 259 Homul (Guatemala) 40 trading benefits 150, 155 households see also rulers as basis of Maya society 113–116 epicenters 107 craft production 165–166 architecture in relation to use of sizes and distribution 118–120 astronomy
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ashes to Caches: Is Dust Dust Among the Heterarchichal Maya?
    West Chester University Digital Commons @ West Chester University Anthropology & Sociology Faculty Publications Anthropology & Sociology 6-2020 Ashes to Caches: Is Dust Dust Among the Heterarchichal Maya? Marshall Joseph Becker Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/anthrosoc_facpub Part of the Archaeological Anthropology Commons Volume 28, Issue 3 June 2020 Welcome to the “28 – year book” of The Codex. waxak k’atun jun tun hun Now in its 28th year, The Codex continues to publish materials of substance in the world of Pre-Columbian and Mesoamerican studies. We continue that tradition in this issue. This new issue of The Codex is arriving during a pandemic which has shut down all normal services in our state. Rather than let our members and subscribers down, we decided to go digital for this issue. And, by doing so, we NOTE FROM THE EDITOR 1 realized that we could go “large” by publishing Marshall Becker’s important paper on the ANNOUNCEMENTS 2 contents of caches in the Maya world wherein he calls for more investigation into supposedly SITE-SEEING: REPORTS FROM THE “empty” caches at Tikal and at other Maya sites. FIELD: ARCHAEOLOGY IN A GILDED AGE: THE UNIVERSITY OF Hattula Moholy-Nagy takes us back to an earlier PENNSYLVANIA MUSEUM’S TIKAL era in archaeology with her reminiscences of her PROJECT, 1956-1970 days at Tikal in the 1950s and 1960s. Lady by Sharp Tongue got her column in just before the Hattula Moholy-Nagy 3 shut-down happened, and she lets us in on some secrets in Lady K’abal Xook’s past at her GOSSIP COLUMN palace in Yaxchilan.
    [Show full text]
  • “Charlie Chaplin” Figures of the Maya Lowlands
    RITUAL USE OF THE HUMAN FORM: A CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF THE “CHARLIE CHAPLIN” FIGURES OF THE MAYA LOWLANDS by LISA M. LOMITOLA B.A. University of Central Florida, 2008 A thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Anthropology in the College of Sciences at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Summer Term 2012 ©2012 Lisa M. Lomitola ii ABSTRACT Small anthropomorphic figures, most often referred to as “Charlie Chaplins,” appear in ritual deposits throughout the ancient Maya sites of Belize during the late Preclassic and Early Classic Periods and later, throughout the Petén region of Guatemala. Often these figures appear within similar cache assemblages and are carved from “exotic” materials such as shell or jade. This thesis examines the contexts in which these figures appear and considers the wider implications for commonly held ritual practices throughout the Maya lowlands during the Classic Period and the similarities between “Charlie Chaplin” figures and anthropomorphic figures found in ritual contexts outside of the Maya area. iii Dedicated to Corbin and Maya Lomitola iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank Drs. Arlen and Diane Chase for the many opportunities they have given me both in the field and within the University of Central Florida. Their encouragement and guidance made this research possible. My experiences at the site of Caracol, Belize have instilled a love for archaeology in me that will last a lifetime. Thank you Dr. Barber for the advice and continual positivity; your passion and joy of archaeology inspires me. In addition, James Crandall and Jorge Garcia, thank you for your feedback, patience, and support; your friendship and experience are invaluable.
    [Show full text]
  • Statement by Author
    Maya Wetlands: Ecology and Pre-Hispanic Utilization of Wetlands in Northwestern Belize Item Type text; Dissertation-Reproduction (electronic) Authors Baker, Jeffrey Lee Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 07/10/2021 10:39:16 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/237812 MAYA WETLANDS ECOLOGY AND PRE-HISPANIC UTILIZATION OF WETLANDS IN NORTHWESTERN BELIZE by Jeffrey Lee Baker _______________________ Copyright © Jeffrey Lee Baker 2003 A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the Department of Anthropology In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Graduate College The University of Arizona 2 0 0 3 2 3 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This endeavor would not have been possible with the assistance and advice of a number of individuals. My committee members, Pat Culbert, John Olsen and Owen Davis, who took the time to read and comment on this work Vernon Scarborough and Tom Guderjan also commented on this dissertation and provided additional support during the work. Vernon Scarborough invited me to northwestern Belize to assist in his work examining water management practices at La Milpa. An offer that ultimately led to the current dissertation. Without Tom Guderjan’s offer to work at Blue Creek in 1996, it is unlikely that I would ever have completed my dissertation, and it is possible that I might no longer be in archaeology, a decision I would have deeply regretted.
    [Show full text]
  • Canuto-Et-Al.-2018.Pdf
    RESEARCH ◥ shows field systems in the low-lying wetlands RESEARCH ARTICLE SUMMARY and terraces in the upland areas. The scale of wetland systems and their association with dense populations suggest centralized planning, ARCHAEOLOGY whereas upland terraces cluster around res- idences, implying local management. Analy- Ancient lowland Maya complexity as sis identified 362 km2 of deliberately modified ◥ agricultural terrain and ON OUR WEBSITE another 952 km2 of un- revealed by airborne laser scanning Read the full article modified uplands for at http://dx.doi. potential swidden use. of northern Guatemala org/10.1126/ Approximately 106 km science.aau0137 of causeways within and .................................................. Marcello A. Canuto*†, Francisco Estrada-Belli*†, Thomas G. Garrison*†, between sites constitute Stephen D. Houston‡, Mary Jane Acuña, Milan Kováč, Damien Marken, evidence of inter- and intracommunity con- Philippe Nondédéo, Luke Auld-Thomas‡, Cyril Castanet, David Chatelain, nectivity. In contrast, sizable defensive features Carlos R. Chiriboga, Tomáš Drápela, Tibor Lieskovský, Alexandre Tokovinine, point to societal disconnection and large-scale Antolín Velasquez, Juan C. Fernández-Díaz, Ramesh Shrestha conflict. 2 CONCLUSION: The 2144 km of lidar data Downloaded from INTRODUCTION: Lowland Maya civilization scholars has provided a unique regional perspec- acquired by the PLI alter interpretations of the flourished from 1000 BCE to 1500 CE in and tive revealing substantial ancient population as ancient Maya at a regional scale. An ancient around the Yucatan Peninsula. Known for its well as complex previously unrecognized land- population in the millions was unevenly distrib- sophistication in writing, art, architecture, as- scape modifications at a grand scale throughout uted across the central lowlands, with varying tronomy, and mathematics, this civilization is the central lowlands in the Yucatan peninsula.
    [Show full text]
  • Physical Expression of Sacred Space Among the Ancient Maya
    Trinity University Digital Commons @ Trinity Sociology & Anthropology Faculty Research Sociology and Anthropology Department 1-2004 Models of Cosmic Order: Physical Expression of Sacred Space Among the Ancient Maya Jennifer P. Mathews Trinity University, [email protected] J. F. Garber Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.trinity.edu/socanthro_faculty Part of the Anthropology Commons, and the Sociology Commons Repository Citation Mathews, J. P., & Garber, J. F. (2004). Models of cosmic order: Physical expression of sacred space among the ancient Maya. Ancient Mesoamerica, 15(1), 49-59. doi: 10.1017/S0956536104151031 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Sociology and Anthropology Department at Digital Commons @ Trinity. It has been accepted for inclusion in Sociology & Anthropology Faculty Research by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Trinity. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Ancient Mesoamerica, 15 (2004), 49–59 Copyright © 2004 Cambridge University Press. Printed in the U.S.A. DOI: 10.1017/S0956536104151031 MODELS OF COSMIC ORDER Physical expression of sacred space among the ancient Maya Jennifer P. Mathewsa and James F. Garberb aDepartment of Sociology and Anthropology, Trinity University, One Trinity Place, San Antonio, TX 78212, USA bDepartment of Anthropology, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA Abstract The archaeological record, as well as written texts, oral traditions, and iconographic representations, express the Maya perception of cosmic order, including the concepts of quadripartite division and layered cosmos. The ritual act of portioning and layering created spatial order and was used to organize everything from the heavens to the layout of altars.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Maya Territorial Organisation of Central Belize: Confluence of Archaeological and Epigraphic Data
    &RQWULEXWLRQVLQ1HZ:RUOG $UFKDHRORJ\ ± ANCIENT MAYA TERRITORIAL ORGANISATION OF CENTRAL BELIZE: CONFLUENCE OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND EPIGRAPHIC DATA CHRISTOPHE H ELMKE University of Copenhagen JAIME AWE ,QVWLWXWHRI$UFKDHRORJ\%HOL]H Abstract 7KHPRGHOVSURSRVHGIRUDQFLHQW0D\DWHUULWRULDORUJDQL]DWLRQLQFHQWUDO%HOL]HGLIIHUVLJQL¿FDQWO\IURPRQH UHVHDUFKHU WR DQRWKHU 'XH WR WKH UHODWLYH GHDUWK RI KLHURJO\SKLF GDWD PRVW PRGHOV KDYH EHHQ IRUPXODWHG RQ WKHEDVLVRIDUFKDHRORJLFDOGDWDDORQHDQGDUHSUHGRPLQDQWO\VLWHVSHFL¿FDVVHVVPHQWV,QYHVWLJDWLRQVLQFHQWUDO %HOL]HRYHUWKHSDVWIRXUGHFDGHVKDYHKRZHYHUEURXJKWWROLJKWVHYHUDONH\SLHFHVRIHSLJUDSKLFGDWDLQFOXGLQJ (PEOHP*O\SKV:KHQYLHZHGLQFRQMXQFWLRQWKHDUFKDHRORJLFDODQGHSLJUDSKLFGDWDSURYLGHDQHZYDQWDJHIRU GHWHUPLQLQJWKHVWUXFWXUHRIWKH&ODVVLFSHULRGVRFLRSROLWLFDOODQGVFDSHRIWKH%HOL]H9DOOH\ Resumen /RVPRGHORVSURSXHVWRVSDUDODRUJDQL]DFLyQWHUULWRULDOGHORVPD\DVGHO3HUtRGR&OiVLFRHQ%HOLFH&HQWUDO GL¿HUHQVLJQL¿FDWLYDPHQWHGHXQLQYHVWLJDGRUDRWUR'HELGRDODHVFDVH]GHGDWRVMHURJOt¿FRVODPD\RUtDGHORV PRGHORVVHKDQIRUPXODGRWHQLHQGRHQFXHQWDWDQVRORGDWRVDUTXHROyJLFRV\VHFHQWUDQSUHGRPLQDQWHPHQWHVREUH FDGDVLWLRLQYHVWLJDGR/DVH[SORUDFLRQHVHQ%HOLFH&HQWUDOGHODVFXDWUR~OWLPDVGpFDGDVVLQHPEDUJRKDQVDFDGR DODOX]QXPHURVDVSLH]DVFODYHTXHDSRUWDQGDWRVHSLJUi¿FRVLQFOX\HQGR*OLIRV(PEOHPD9LVWRVHQFRQMXQWRORV GDWRVDUTXHROyJLFRV\HSLJUi¿FRVSURSRUFLRQDQXQDSRVLFLyQPiVYHQWDMRVDHQODGHWHUPLQDFLyQGHODHVWUXFWXUD del paisaje socio-político del Período Clásico del Valle de Belice. INTRODUCTION $ YDULHW\ RI PRGHOV RI DQFLHQW 0D\D WHUULWRULDO RUJDQLVDWLRQ KDYH EHHQ SURSRVHG IRU WKH %HOL]H 9DOOH\RYHUWKHSDVWIRXUGHFDGHV,QSDUWWKHTXDQWLW\RIVXFKPRGHOVFDQEHH[SODLQHGE\WKHIDFW
    [Show full text]
  • C. Ebert 1 CLAIRE E. EBERT Center for Comparative Archaeology
    C. Ebert 1 CLAIRE E. EBERT Center for Comparative Archaeology Department of Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh 3302 Wesley Posvar Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 Email: [email protected] EDUCATION Ph.D., Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, 2017. M.A., Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, 2013. B.A., Anthropology, University of New Mexico, 2010. ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS 2017-current Visiting Scholar, Center for Comparative Archaeology, Department of Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh. 2016-2017 Instructor, Department of Anthropology, Penn State University. Relevant Affiliations 2017-current Member, Climate and Global Change Research Center, University of Pittsburgh. RESEARCH INTERESTS Development of social complexity, human-environment interaction, transition from foraging to farming, origins of agriculture, Archaic and Formative period Mesoamerica, Mesolithic and Neolithic Europe, household and settlement archaeology, radiocarbon dating, stable isotope geochemistry, geochemical sourcing analyses, paleoclimate reconstruction, GIS and remote sensing. LIST OF PUBLICATIONS Peer-Reviewed Publications n.d. Ebert, C. E., J. A. Hoggarth, B. J. Culleton, J. J. Awe, and D. J. Kennett. The role of diet in resilience and vulnerability to climate change: Radiocarbon and stable isotope evidence from the ancient Maya community at Cahal Pech, Belize. Current Anthropology. (In Revision) n.d. Helmke, C., C. E. Ebert, J. J. Awe, and J. A. Hoggarth. The lay of the land: A political geography of an ancient Maya kingdom in west-central Belize. Contributions in New World Archaeology. (In Review) n.d. Walden, J., C. E. Ebert, J. A. Hoggarth, S. Montgomery, and J. J. Awe. Modeling variability in Classic Maya intermediate elite political strategies through multivariate analysis of settlement patterns. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology.
    [Show full text]
  • The PARI Journal Vol. XII, No. 3
    ThePARIJournal A quarterly publication of the Pre-Columbian Art Research Institute Volume XII, No. 3, Winter 2012 Excavations of Nakum Structure 15: Discoveryof Royal Burials and In This Issue: Accompanying Offerings JAROSŁAW ŹRAŁKA Excavations of Institute of Archaeology, Jagiellonian University NakumStructure15: WIESŁAW KOSZKUL Discovery of Institute of Archaeology, Jagiellonian University Royal Burials and BERNARD HERMES Accompanying Proyecto Arqueológico Nakum, Guatemala Offerings SIMON MARTIN by University of Pennsylvania Museum Jarosław Źrałka Introduction the Triangulo Project of the Guatemalan Wiesław Koszkul Institute of Anthropology and History Bernard Hermes Two royal burials along with many at- (IDAEH). As a result of this research, the and tendant offerings were recently found epicenter and periphery of the site have Simon Martin in a pyramid located in the Acropolis been studied in detail and many structures complex at the Maya site of Nakum. These excavated and subsequently restored PAGES 1-20 discoveries were made during research (Calderón et al. 2008; Hermes et al. 2005; conducted under the aegis of the Nakum Hermes and Źrałka 2008). In 2006, thanks Archaeological Project, which has been to permission granted from IDAEH, a excavating the site since 2006. Artefacts new archaeological project was started Joel Skidmore discovered in the burials and the pyramid Editor at Nakum (The Nakum Archaeological [email protected] significantly enrich our understanding of Project) directed by Wiesław Koszkul the history of Nakum and throw new light and Jarosław Źrałka from the Jagiellonian Marc Zender on its relationship with neighboring sites. University, Cracow, Poland. Recently our Associate Editor Nakum is one of the most important excavations have focused on investigating [email protected] Maya sites located in the northeastern two untouched pyramids located in the Peten, Guatemala, in the area of the Southern Sector of the site, in the area of The PARI Journal Triangulo Park (a “cultural triangle” com- the so-called Acropolis.
    [Show full text]
  • Contextualizing the Protoclassic and Early Classic Periods at Caracol, Belize
    1 SAMPLING AND TIMEFRAMES: CONTEXTUALIZING THE PROTOCLASSIC AND EARLY CLASSIC PERIODS AT CARACOL, BELIZE Arlen F. Chase and Diane Z. Chase The era of transition between the Late Preclassic (300 B.C. – A.D. 250) and the Early Classic (A.D. 250-550) Periods is one which saw great change within ancient Maya society. This change is reflected in the ceramics of this transitional era. Ceramicists have had difficulty isolating distinct ceramic complexes within the transitional era and have instead tended to focus on specific stylistic markers (e.g., mamiform tetrapods) that were thought to be hallmarks for this transition. These stylistic markers became known as the “Protoclassic” and, while easily identified, they were never securely anchored within broader patterns of change. To this day the Protoclassic Period remains enigmatic within Maya archaeology. There are disagreements on whether or not the term should be used in Maya archaeology and, if used, how and to what the term should refer. Much of what has been used to identify the Protoclassic falls within the realm of ceramics and, thus, that data class will be the primary one utilized here. This paper first examines the history of and use of the term Protoclassic in Maya archaeology; it then uses data from Caracol, Belize to assess the relevance of the term both to Maya Studies and to interpretations of ancient Maya society. Introduction reflected in the kinds of samples that are used to A solid chronology of the ancient Maya build chronologies and phases and to model past is key to outlining the development of the trade linkages.
    [Show full text]
  • Extent, Energetics, and Productivity in Wetland Agricultural Systems, Northern Belize
    ON THE BACK OF THE CROCODILE: EXTENT, ENERGETICS, AND PRODUCTIVITY IN WETLAND AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS, NORTHERN BELIZE by: SHANE MATTHEW MONTGOMERY B.A. University of New Mexico, 2010 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Anthropology in the College of Sciences at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Spring Term 2016 © 2016 Shane M. Montgomery ii ABSTRACT Ancient populations across the globe successfully employed wetland agricultural techniques in a variety of environmentally and climatically diverse landscapes throughout prehistory. Within the Maya Lowlands, these agricultural features figure prominently in the region comprised of northern Belize and southern Quintana Roo, an area supporting low-outflow rivers, large lagoons, and numerous bajo features. Along the banks of the Hondo and New Rivers, the Maya effectively utilized wetland agricultural practices from the Middle Preclassic to the Terminal Classic Periods (1000 B.C.—A.D. 950). A number of past archaeological projects have thoroughly examined the construction and impact of these swampland features. After four decades of study, a more precise picture has formed in relation to the roles that these ditched field systems played in the regional development of the area. However, a detailed record of the full spatial extent, combined construction costs, and potential agricultural productivity has not been attempted on a larger scale. This thesis will highlight these avenues of interest through data obtained from high- and medium-resolution satellite imagery and manipulated through geographic information systems (GIS) technology. The research explores environmental factors and topographic elements dictating the distribution of such entities, the energetic involvement required to construct and maintain the systems, and the efficiency of wetland techniques as compared to traditional milpa agriculture.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Maya Landscapes in Northwestern Belize
    650 SPECIAL SECTION Temple mountains, sacred lakes, and fertile fields: ancient Maya landscapes in northwestern Belize NICHOLASDUNNING, VERNON SCARBOROUGH, FRED VALDEZ, JR, SHERYLLUZZADDER-BEACH, TIMOTHY BEACH & JOHN G. JONES* Key-words: Maya archaeology, cultural ecology, landscape analysis ‘Intimate knowledge of historical sources, archaeo- ment interactions in this region. However, in logical sites, biogeography and ecology, and the proc- studying human-environment relationships esses of geoniorphology must be fused in patient field ‘nature’cannot be taken only as a self-evident studies, so that we may read the changes in habit- object available for human management. Na- ability through human time for the lands in which ture as an object for human action is mediated civilization first took form’ SAUER1955: 61 by culture. In turn, culture cannot be seen as unitary, bounded and internally homogeneous. Introduction Both individual and group perceptions shaped Forty-three years later these words still ring true, human-environment actions and may be mani- but are too seldom followed (Fedick 1996). For fest in the landscape. How nature was rendered several years, we have been engaged in a multi- culturally intelligible by landscape manipula- disciplinary programme of research in north- tion had important consequences for whose western Belize and neighbouring areas of ‘voices’ are heard and whose claims are legiti- Guatemala, eliciting a comprehensive, integrated mated amid struggles over the control of vital picture of changing ancient Maya landscapes resources (Bender 1992; Thomas 1993). (Scarborough & Dunning 1996; Valdez et al. The ancient landscapes created by the Maya 1997). Our goals include a reconstructive cor- included both intentional and unintentional relation of environmental and cultural history, environmental changes.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding the Archaeology of a Maya Capital City Diane Z
    Research Reports in Belizean Archaeology Volume 5 Archaeological Investigations in the Eastern Maya Lowlands: Papers of the 2007 Belize Archaeology Symposium Edited by John Morris, Sherilyne Jones, Jaime Awe and Christophe Helmke Institute of Archaeology National Institute of Culture and History Belmopan, Belize 2008 Editorial Board of the Institute of Archaeology, NICH John Morris, Sherilyne Jones, George Thompson, Jaime Awe and Christophe G.B. Helmke The Institute of Archaeology, Belmopan, Belize Jaime Awe, Director John Morris, Associate Director, Research and Education Brian Woodye, Associate Director, Parks Management George Thompson, Associate Director, Planning & Policy Management Sherilyne Jones, Research and Education Officer Cover design: Christophe Helmke Frontispiece: Postclassic Cao Modeled Diving God Figure from Santa Rita, Corozal Back cover: Postclassic Effigy Vessel from Lamanai (Photograph by Christophe Helmke). Layout and Graphic Design: Sherilyne Jones (Institute of Archaeology, Belize) George Thompson (Institute of Archaeology, Belize) Christophe G.B. Helmke (Københavns Universitet, Denmark) ISBN 978-976-8197-21-4 Copyright © 2008 Institute of Archaeology, National Institute of Culture and History, Belize. All rights reserved. Printed by Print Belize Limited. ii J. Morris et al. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We wish to express our sincerest thanks to every individual who contributed to the success of our fifth symposium, and to the subsequent publication of the scientific contributions that are contained in the fifth volume of the Research Reports in Belizean Archaeology. A special thanks to Print Belize and the staff for their efforts to have the Symposium Volume printed on time despite receiving the documents on very short notice. We extend a special thank you to all our 2007 sponsors: Belize Communication Services Limited, The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT), Galen University and Belize Electric Company Limited (BECOL) for their financial support.
    [Show full text]