DOCSLIB.ORG

Maya Prehispanic Occupation in Yaxha, Northeast Peten

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Maya Prehispanic Occupation in Yaxha, Northeast Peten Contributions to the Archaeology Of Tikal, Naranjo-Sa’aal, Yaxha, and Nakum Northeast Region of Peten, Guatemala Maya Prehispanic Occupation in Yaxha, Northeast Peten, Guatemala: A Synthesis Bernard Hermes Instituto de Antropología e Historia de Guatemala, Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte Introduction early activity mainly in the southern and western area of the epicenter of the site, which makes it In 1990 the Institute of Anthropology and History possible to ascertain that the first settlement was of Guatemala (IDAEH), as part of the Ministry of focused within the aforementioned area. Samples Culture, began a project of archaeological research of Mamom pottery were recovered in the northern and conservation in the northeastern region of area of the West Group. Peten, at the Maya sites of Yaxha and Topoxte The North Acropolis is located at a higher (Figures 1 and 2). Initially the excavations in Yaxha elevation of the natural terrain; it is important to were carried out in locations related to Temple mention that a few sherds of Mamom pottery were 216 (Hermes et al. 1997), the Lake Causeway, and found in relation to the northern temple of the Vía 5 (Hermes et al. 1999). Important information Acropolis, indicating a locus of occupation related was collected from a general test-pitting program to the first Yaxha inhabitants; however, most of the at the epicenter of Yaxha, including excavations samples belonged to the following Yancotil phase. in several chultuns. Later, from 2001 to 2006, During Yancotil times, the natural landscape in conservation works at Yaxha were completed central Yaxha consisted of inclined relief and under sub-contract in the the North Acropolis, irregular outcrops of bedrock originating near the the Maler Group, and the South Acropolis and its shore of Lake Yaxha. It is probable that the area related ballcourt (Figure 3). later related to the Lake Causeway was a path Research work carried out in the central part adapted according to the topographic conditions of Topoxte Island made it possible to establish of the land that connected the lake with the main the existence of ten construction stages. Six of settlement. them (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8) are characterized by greater The works carried out indicate that it is at the construction activity, and the other four are end of the Middle Preclassic (beginning of the considered minor modifications of previous stages Yancotil Complex) that the​​ North Acropolis area of buildings (Figure 4). began to be used for ceremonial purposes, and it can be assumed with some certainty that the The Middle Preclassic Period beginning of ceremonialism with architectural The Yaxha-Sacnab basin was populated around associations was also centered in the E-Group (Astronomical Complex). In relation to the East 700 BC by small groups that settled in a dispersed fashion on high terrain, whose ceramic affiliation is Acropolis, under Temple 216, the first known closely related to the first settlers of Tikal (D. Rice activities consisted in the conditioning of the 1976a, 1976b; P. Rice 1979a:14-18). The analysis of bedrock (cutting and carving its surface as a the first ceramic samples from Yaxha permitted the natural floor) before the placement of a multiple subdivision of the earlier period into two ceramic burial accompanied by an offering consisting of an complexes called Ah Pam and Yancotil, equivalent inverted vase corresponding to the Juventud Red to the contemporary complexes Eb and Tzec of type. Tikal (D. Rice 1976a:434-435). The earliest evidence In Topoxte Island there is scant evidence of occupation recovered in the work carried out associated with the lower floor of the Main Plaza, by the IDAEH project in Yaxha corresponds to the Yancotil Complex. 1 The original version of this article was published as In Yaxha evidence has been recovered of Hermes 2001. 2020 Mesoweb: www.mesoweb.com/CATNYN/Yaxha.pdf The Maya Prehispanic Occupation in Yaxha 2 directly placed on bedrock. The only documented Maler Group at the northern sector of the city construction is a low platform possibly of (Figure 3). An offering (10 and 10A) included four ellipsoidal shape (Building 5C-1 Sub) (Figure 5). medium size pyramid models made of clay and coated with red specular stucco; two Sierra Red vessels were also recovered. The finding relates to The Late Preclassic Period the west facade of Building No. 4, under the stair The evidence recovered in Yaxha indicates at the level of the first plaza floor. The first stage of abundant activity in the central, southern, and the Maler Causeway was also built during the Late western parts of the epicenter (Figure 3). By this Preclassic; this early version did not have lateral time the North Acropolis was undoubtedly the walls or parapets. most important ritual center, making Yaxha the site During the Late Preclassic, on the islands of that achieved the greatest development in the lake Lake Yaxha the cultural situation can be considered basin. The triadic temples of the North Acropolis as atypical in the sense of the lack of evidence, were already built; the northern pyramid had since it was not possible to situate any cultural stucco masks, and buildings 137 and 144 had manifestation unequivocally for this period. important remodelings and additions throughout In Topoxte Island there is only one possible this period. In the southwest area of the North activity related to the terrace south of Building A, Acropolis, under the plaza floor was found a where a large concentration of ceramic, lithic, and buried building (134 Sub), which was decorated snail material was located. Given the presumed with a large frieze portraying two personages who utilitarian function of the materials, the evidence could be related to a version of the Hero Twins. The was registerd as Trash 1. The presence of a vessel plinth of the Acropolis also underwent six stages and about 10 sherds related to a Protoclassic of Preclassic stairways, one of them related to a episode may also date this finding to a later large decorative stucco panel showing a complex period. However, it is important to consider that iconographic scene related to a theme of sacrifice this sample of problematical sherds, besides being and the underworld. minimal, presents a questionable stratigraphic Yancotil-phase sherds were collected from patio position. 4 of the South Acropolis near bedrock and under With the exception of results obtained in Palace 365. In relation to the ballcourt, a Preclassic research carried out in Lake Peten Itza (P. Rice chultun was identified near the southwest corner 1996:288-292), all the reports of archaeological of the eastern platform. Important evidence of a investigations in the Central Peten indicate that drainage canal was also seen under the ballcourt notable demographic and construction growth patio. In Plaza B, samples of Preclassic sherds were occurred during the Late Preclassic period. recovered under Building 90, related to a possible This situation may indicate that at least substructure built over a layer of clay. in certain areas of the lakes region, there was There is evidence of intensity of construction population settled before the Middle Preclassic activity accompanied by a marked population Mamom cultural unification, and in places which growth, clearly reflected in the abundant amount grew at this time such development became of artifact remains and in the wide area of spatial interrupted, apparently accompanied by some distribution in which they were found. It is kind of depopulation. The main reason could be apparent that the main access to ​​the epicenter of the found in the immense increase in size attained city was related to the central and western sectors, by certain sites located north of the lakes, which in order to facilitate the continuous mobilization achieved hegemony over their nearby competing of people between the lakeshore and the upper centers, gaining control over large territories for area of the settlement. One of the results of this their benefit. situation was the widening and modification of the natural terrain in the area that became the initial The Protoclassic version of the Lake Causeway (south) and the Maler Causeway (north). In Yaxha, significant evidence has not been In relation to the East Acropolis and specifically recovered for this time period. The limited Temple 216, the first version known as Sub 1 was information available tells us that between 100 constructed, the evidence for which is restricted BC and AD 200, construction activity in the North to the western facade in which a plinth of three Acropolis continues as in the past. It may be that at stepped terraces was documented in association this moment or in the interval of time that marks with three staircases interspersed with sloped the beginning of the next cultural period is when walls (Figure 5). buildings modifying the initial triadic pattern of Important Yancotil evidence comes from the the North Acropolis were constructed. The Maya Prehispanic Occupation in Yaxha 3 In relation to Topoxte there are two Protoclassic decorations; however, new features are represented construction stages. During the first (second in in two ceramic classes characterized by the use of the sequence of the island), the central area of ​​the orange base slip and bichrome and polychrome main plaza was leveled by a floor at the level of decoration. Building 5C-1 Sub (Figure 5). To the north, two According to the subdivision into two periods low platforms were constructed as well as five that Brady et al. (1998) have proposed for the chultuns characterized by a clover shape (4C-2, Protoclassic, it can be said that the local Agua 4C-3, 5C-3, 5C-4). Both platforms are associated Verde ceramic complex presents all of the traits with chultuns, and their similarity to platforms A, that identify the late part of the cultural period B, and C of Uaxactun is clear, especially when the (Protoclassic 2).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Tik 02:Tik 02
    2 The Ceramics of Tikal T. Patrick Culbert More than 40 years of archaeological research at Tikal have pro- duced an enormous quantity of ceramics that have been studied by a variety of investigators (Coggins 1975; Culbert 1963, 1973, 1977, 1979, 1993; Fry 1969, 1979; Fry and Cox 1974; Hermes 1984a; Iglesias 1987, 1988; Laporte and Fialko 1987, 1993; Laporte et al. 1992; Laporte and Iglesias 1992; Laporte, this volume). It could be argued that the ceram- ics of Tikal are better known than those from any other Maya site. The contexts represented by the ceramic collections are extremely varied, as are the formation processes to which they were subjected both in Maya times and since the site was abandoned. This chapter will report primarily on the ceramics recovered by the University of Pennsylvania Tikal Project between 1956 and 1970. The information available from this analysis has been significantly clar- ified and expanded by later research, especially that of the Proyecto Nacional Tikal (Hermes 1984a; Iglesias 1987, 1988; Laporte and Fialko 1987, 1993; Laporte et al. 1992; Laporte and Iglesias 1992; Laporte, this volume). I will make reference to some of the results of these later stud- ies but will not attempt an overall synthesis—something that must await Copyrighted Material www.sarpress.org 47 T. PATRICK C ULBERT a full-scale conference involving all of those who have worked with Tikal ceramics. Primary goals of my analysis of Tikal ceramics were to develop a ceramic sequence and to provide chronological information for researchers. Although a ceramic sequence was already available from the neighboring site of Uaxactun (R.
    [Show full text]
  • The Archaeology of Yucatán
    The Archaeology of YucatÁn Edited by Travis W. Stanton Archaeopress Pre-Columbian Archaeology 1 Archaeopress Gordon House 276 Banbury Road Oxford OX2 7ED www.archaeopress.com ISBN 978 1 78491 008 2 ISBN 978 1 78491 009 9 (e-Pdf) © Archaeopress and the individual authors 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owners. Printed in England by CMP (UK) Ltd This book is available direct from Archaeopress or from our website www.archaeopress.com Chapter 4 Xcoch: Home of Ancient Maya Rain Gods and Water Managers Nicholas P. Dunning, Eric Weaver, Michael P. Smyth, and David Ortegón Zapata “The water was in a deep, stony basin running under a shelf of overhanging rock…the sight of it was more welcome to us than gold or rubies.” (Stephens 1843:216) So wrote the American explorer John Lloyd Stephens surfaces and along lines of weakness created by fracturing after following local guides through a series of tortuously has created a landscape with radically varying drainage narrow and descending passageways in a cave system at and surface characteristics (Dunning et al. 1998). Drainage the ancient ruins of Xcoch, Yucatán. The deep cave at across most of the lowlands is primarily subterranean. Xcoch is clearly a place of ancient magic. Its entrance is Across the northern karst plains of the Yucatán peninsula, a hole at the bottom of a sinkhole – the “Xcoch Grotto” many sinkholes breach the water table (cenotes) providing – that yawns like the mouth of the Witz Monster of access to perennial water.
    [Show full text]
  • With the Protection of the Gods: an Interpretation of the Protector Figure in Classic Maya Iconography
    University of Central Florida STARS Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 2012 With The Protection Of The Gods: An Interpretation Of The Protector Figure In Classic Maya Iconography Tiffany M. Lindley University of Central Florida Part of the Anthropology Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Masters Thesis (Open Access) is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STARS Citation Lindley, Tiffany M., "With The Protection Of The Gods: An Interpretation Of The Protector Figure In Classic Maya Iconography" (2012). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019. 2148. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/2148 WITH THE PROTECTION OF THE GODS: AN INTERPRETATION OF THE PROTECTOR FIGURE IN CLASSIC MAYA ICONOGRAPHY by TIFFANY M. LINDLEY B.A. University of Alabama, 2009 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 2012 © 2012 Tiffany M. Lindley ii ABSTRACT Iconography encapsulates the cultural knowledge of a civilization. The ancient Maya of Mesoamerica utilized iconography to express ideological beliefs, as well as political events and histories. An ideology heavily based on the presence of an Otherworld is visible in elaborate Maya iconography. Motifs and themes can be manipulated to convey different meanings based on context.
    [Show full text]
  • Investigaciones Arqueológicas En La Región De Holmul, Peten, Guatemala
    INVESTIGACIONES ARQUEOLÓGICAS EN LA REGIÓN DE HOLMUL, PETEN, GUATEMALA. INFORME PRELIMINAR DE LA TEMPORADA, 2004 Francisco Estrada-Belli (Director) Judith Valle (co-Directora) Ave sagrada de Holmul, pato aguja Dirección: Vanderbilt University Department of Anthropology Box 306050 Station B Nashville, TN 37235 Investigaciones arqueológicas en la región de la ciudad de Holmul, Petén, 2004. Introducción La temporada de 2004 fue una de las más largas y mas exitosas desde que se hayan iniciado las investigaciones arqueológicas en Holmul del Proyecto Arqueológico de Holmul en el año 2000. Este trabajo de campo se llevó a cabo desde Marzo a Julio de 2004 bajo la dirección de su servidor, Dr. Francisco Estrada-Belli y de la Licda. Judith Valle como co-directora. Tomaron parte a las labores arqueólogos y estudiantes avanzados de universidades de EEUU y Guatemala, así como expertos en varias disciplinas como Heather Hurst, el conservador Alberto Semeraro (Italia) y el Dr. Gene Ware que es un experto de fotografía digital de pinturas murales. A estos profesionales se añade el Lic. Bernard Hermes quien nos proporcionó asesoría durante el análisis cerámico. Mas de 30 laborantes de la comunidad de Melchor de Mencos completaron el equipo técnico de Holmul. En esta temporada se enfocaron tres temas principales de nuestra investigación arqueológica en esta región. Estos se identifican con: El desarrollo de la arquitectura e ideología sagrada en el Preclásico y su transición al Clásico Temprano. Este tema se enfoco con excavaciones de pozos en la plaza mayor de Cival (Grupo E), el Grupo Triádico y un muro defensivo alrededor de Cival.
    [Show full text]
  • Kahk' Uti' Chan Yopat
    Glyph Dwellers Report 57 September 2017 A New Teotiwa Lord of the South: K’ahk’ Uti’ Chan Yopat (578-628 C.E.) and the Renaissance of Copan Péter Bíró Independent Scholar Classic Maya inscriptions recorded political discourse commissioned by title-holding elite, typically rulers of a given city. The subject of the inscriptions was manifold, but most of them described various period- ending ceremonies connected to the passage of time. Within this general framework, statements contained information about the most culturally significant life-events of their commissioners. This information was organized according to discursive norms involving the application of literary devices such as parallel structures, difrasismos, ellipsis, etc. Each center had its own variations and preferences in applying such norms, which changed during the six centuries of Classic Maya civilization. Epigraphers have thus far rarely investigated Classic Maya political discourse in general and its regional-, site-, and period-specific features in particular. It is possible to posit very general variations, for example the presence or absence of secondary elite inscriptions, which makes the Western Maya region different from other areas of the Maya Lowlands (Bíró 2011). There are many other discursive differences not yet thoroughly investigated. It is still debated whether these regional (and according to some) temporal discursive differences related to social phenomena or whether they strictly express literary variation (see Zender 2004). The resolution of this question has several implications for historical solutions such as the collapse of Classic Maya civilization or the hypothesis of status rivalry, war, and the role of the secondary elite. There are indications of ruler-specific textual strategies when inscriptions are relatively uniform; that is, they contain the same information, and their organization is similar.
    [Show full text]
  • Southern Lowland Maya Archaeology and Human Skeletal Remains
    2 SouthernLowland Maya Archaeologyand Human SkeletalRemains: Interpretations from Caracol (Belize),Santa Rita Corozal (Belize),and Diane Z. Chase Tayasal(Guatemala) One classof data that is crucial to archaeologi- oretical difficulties involved in making intersite cal interpretations of prehistoric populations, comparisons. 1 their health, status,and demographicpatterns, is that derived from human burials. These are recoveredin what, at first glance,appear to be Caracol, Santa Rita Corozal, sizeablequantities in most excavationsat most and Tayasal: Temporal and Maya sites (Chase1994; Saul and Saul 1991, Skeletal Samples Tourtellot 1990a;Welsh 1988). Yet. how much Caracol, the largestof the three sites,is located do we know about the actual remains of the in the Vaca Plateauof Belizein the foothills of ancient Maya and how can excavatedsamples beused to defineancient populations? . the Maya Mountains at an elevation of over' 500 m. Long-term large-scaleexcavation was The sitesof Caracol,Santa Rita Cocozal,and started at Caracci in 1985 and hastaken place Tayasal are all Maya sites '° the southern every year since then (Chaseand Chase1987; lowlands. Each of these sites, however, is lo- D. Chase and A. Chase 1994). The earliest cated within a distinctive geographicarea and maintains a different history of human occu- pation. Investigationsat each site have.added I The author acknowledgesthe problems in comparing important information to our views of the health among archaeological populations as identified ancient Maya and, when taken together, pro- by Wood et al. (1992}. This discussion, however, will vide greater insight into both a broader in- place greater emphasis on an equally important phe- nomenon: determination of sampling problems through terpretation of the nature of ancient Maya correlation of osteological remains with other archaeo- populations and the methodological and the- logical information.
    [Show full text]
  • Department of Anthropology Summer 2016 Kaprielian Hall Course Syllabus 3620 S
    Department of Anthropology Summer 2016 Kaprielian Hall Course Syllabus 3620 S. Vermont Ave., Ste. 352 University Park Campus University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 90089 ANTHROPOLOGY 400 – MAYA RESILIENCE: CONSTRUCTING PAST AND PRESENT IDENTITIES Dr. Thomas G. Garrison Phone: (213) 740-1902 Email: [email protected] Office: AHF B40 Class Meeting Pre-trip: MW 5:30-6:30 in April Course Description This Problems Without Passport course studies how the Maya people of Central America have forged a strong cultural identity in both the past and present. Archaeology has played an important role in these processes. On the one hand, data recovered from archaeological investigations teaches about the ancient Maya and their once great city-states. On the other hand, the modern Maya use the reconstructed, "tourist attraction" ruins as symbols of the antiquity of their cultural heritage and their connection to the lands now controlled by modern Guatemala. Through visits to archaeological sites, museums, and Maya communities students will engage with the complexities of issues relating to the frequently conflicting interests of indigenous cultural heritage and national economic development. Recommended Preparation No previous preparation is required for this course, but ANTH 202g, 140g, 310, 314g or another anthropology based archaeology course would be helpful. Introduction, Objectives, and Outcomes Archaeological sites are tourist attractions throughout the world. From the pillared, marble buildings of ancient Greece to the majestic temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, consolidated ruins represent a major tourism draw and source of revenue for countries whose borders contain dense numbers of ancient sites. In Latin America, for countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Peru, and Bolivia archaeological tourism is a centerpiece for advertising campaigns encouraging international visitors.
    [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]
  • Redalyc.SOWING the STONE: SACRED GEOGRAPHY AND
    Estudios de Cultura Maya ISSN: 0185-2574 [email protected] Centro de Estudios Mayas México Frühsorge, Lars SOWING THE STONE: SACRED GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURAL CONTINUITY. ECONOMY AMONG THE HIGHLAND MAYA OF GUATEMALA Estudios de Cultura Maya, vol. XLV, 2015, pp. 171-189 Centro de Estudios Mayas Distrito Federal, México Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=281336894006 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative SOWING THE STONE: SACRED GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURAL CONTINUITY. ECONOMY AMONG THE HIGHLAND MAYA OF GUATEMALA LARS FRÜHSORGE University of Hamburg ABSTRACT: The functions of Classic Maya stelae as political monuments and as con- tainers for the “spiritual essence” of rulers are well known. In contrast, it has hardly been recognized that a similar ceremonial use of stones survived among the Highland Maya of Guatemala throughout the Postclassic and Colonial period into modern times. According to colonial sources the “souls” of deceased rulers were conserved in portable stones and guarded by high-ranking officials. Royal burial ceremonies included the erection of stone images representing the departed rulers as part of a sacred geography. Even among the modern Maya there is ritual featuring the “sowing” of a stone in a natural location which becomes linked to the life-force of a person. In a similar way different stone features —both natural and artificial— continue to play a role in various ceremonies related to the economic well-being or the demarcation of territories between competing communities.
    [Show full text]
  • Who Were the Maya? by Robert Sharer
    Who Were the Maya? BY ROBERT SHARER he ancient maya created one of the Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador until the Spanish Conquest. world’s most brilliant and successful The brutal subjugation of the Maya people by the Spanish ca. 1470 CE civilizations. But 500 years ago, after the extinguished a series of independent Maya states with roots The Kaqchikel Maya establish a new Spaniards “discovered” the Maya, many as far back as 1000 BCE. Over the following 2,500 years scores highland kingdom with a capital at Iximche. could not believe that Native Americans of Maya polities rose and fell, some larger and more powerful had developed cities, writing, art, and than others. Most of these kingdoms existed for hundreds of ca. 1185–1204 CE otherT hallmarks of civilization. Consequently, 16th century years; a few endured for a thousand years or more. K’atun 8 Ajaw Europeans readily accepted the myth that the Maya and other To understand and follow this long development, Maya Founding of the city of Mayapan. indigenous civilizations were transplanted to the Americas by civilization is divided into three periods: the Preclassic, the “lost” Old World migrations before 1492. Of course archaeol- Classic, and the Postclassic. The Preclassic includes the ori- ogy has found no evidence to suggest that Old World intru- gins and apogee of the first Maya kingdoms from about 1000 sions brought civilization to the Maya or to any other Pre- BCE to 250 CE. The Early Preclassic (ca. 2000–1000 BCE) Columbian society. In fact, the evidence clearly shows that pre-dates the rise of the first kingdoms, so the span that civilization evolved in the Americas due to the efforts of the began by ca.
    [Show full text]
  • A Distinctive Maya Architectural Format: the Lamanai Temple
    8 A Distinctive Maya Architectural Format: The Lamanai Temple . H. Stanley Loten Introduction At Lamanai, as at Tikal, the ancient Maya maintained and repeated the same distinctive temple form over a Towering pyramidal temples, arresting dynastic significantly long time span at different locations portraits, fantastic.mythological figures; they leap to within the site. This review outlines the Lamanai our eyes from the forest canopy, from incised stelae example and considers comparable patterns of and from sculptured mask panels. 1l1ese are the great variation in architectural forms of pyramid-temples at signature pieces of Maya artistic production. They other sites in the Maya area. cap the ruins that initially attracted archaeological attention, and they continue to draw world-class As a secondary theme I am concerned with the con­ tourism to the Maya area. A constant· stream of ceptual role played by the pyramid, and with the vacationers shuffles past these great works, now underlying reasons that impelled the Maya to include cleared and restored. But they are seen merely as such costly and time-consuming features as prominent curiosities touted to sell excursions from Caribbean parts oftheir major temples. It is generally taken more resorts. In ancient times, however, they were certainly or less for granted that Maya pyramids were employed not for holiday amusement; they .were central to the to raise the "temples" at their summits to a civic and political life of Maya communities. Over commanding position of height (see, for example, centuries the Maya invested an enormous amount of Stierlin 1968:96). This view of the structures is time, energy, skill and resources in their production, certainly correct, and the idea has obvious value; I and their functioning is generally acknowledged to suspect, however, that it may not be the whole story.
    [Show full text]
  • Cancún, Cozumel & the Yucatán
    01_58796x_ffirs.qxd 7/20/05 6:57 PM Page i Cancún, Cozumel & the Yucatán 2006 by David Baird & Lynne Bairstow Here’s what the critics say about Frommer’s: “Amazingly easy to use. Very portable, very complete.” —Booklist “Detailed, accurate, and easy-to-read information for all price ranges.” —Glamour Magazine “Hotel information is close to encyclopedic.” —Des Moines Sunday Register “Frommer’s Guides have a way of giving you a real feel for a place.” —Knight Ridder Newspapers 01_58796x_ffirs.qxd 7/20/05 6:57 PM Page ii 01_58796x_ffirs.qxd 7/20/05 6:57 PM Page i Cancún, Cozumel & the Yucatán 2006 by David Baird & Lynne Bairstow Here’s what the critics say about Frommer’s: “Amazingly easy to use. Very portable, very complete.” —Booklist “Detailed, accurate, and easy-to-read information for all price ranges.” —Glamour Magazine “Hotel information is close to encyclopedic.” —Des Moines Sunday Register “Frommer’s Guides have a way of giving you a real feel for a place.” —Knight Ridder Newspapers 01_58796x_ffirs.qxd 7/20/05 6:57 PM Page ii Published by: Wiley Publishing, Inc. 111 River St. Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774 Copyright © 2005 Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authoriza- tion through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, 978/750-8400, fax 978/646-8600.
    [Show full text]