The Terminal Classic at El Mirador, Peten, Guatemala
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Brigham Young University BYU ScholarsArchive Theses and Dissertations 2011-05-31 The Terminal Classic at El Mirador, Peten, Guatemala. Richard M. Allen Brigham Young University - Provo Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd Part of the Anthropology Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Allen, Richard M., "The Terminal Classic at El Mirador, Peten, Guatemala." (2011). Theses and Dissertations. 2650. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/2650 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. The Terminal Classic at El Mirador, Petén, Guatemala Richard M. Allen A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Brigham Young University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Donald W. Forsyth, Chair John E. Clark James R. Allison Department of Anthropology Brigham Young University June 2011 ABSTRACT The Terminal Classic at El Mirador, Petén, Guatemala Richard M. Allen Department of Anthropology Master of Arts Recent excavations uncovered numerous small rooms constructed on top of the Danta Acropolis at El Mirador, Guatemala. The characteristics of the settlement and the material items indicated that it was a late occupation and lacked the features associated with large Maya polities and Classic Maya culture. This thesis focused on describing the continuities and changes that occurred from the Late Classic to the Terminal Classic at El Mirador based on the ceramic assemblage and architecture. Significant continuity and stability of the pottery making community is reflected in the ceramic assemblage. Additionally, it was desirable to gain an understanding of how the Terminal Classic occupation at El Mirador differed from other Maya cities. The comparisons show that on a general level, despite being a small settlement, El Mirador participated in many of the cultural patterns that characterize the Terminal Classic period. Two levels of ceramic production are postulated for the Late Classic period, one sustaining production of fine wares (polychromes) and the other sustaining production of basic production (utilitarian wares). The people inhabiting El Mirador in the Terminal Classic period were materially less well-off, and did not pursue activities associated with high culture as their counterparts did in larger cities. Nevertheless, they were not culturally isolated and they had access to trade items and small quantities of prestige goods. Keywords: El Mirador, Terminal Classic, ceramic production, cultural continuity ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many people have contributed directly and indirectly to this thesis and the final outcome of this product. First and foremost I thank my wife Veronica Allen for her patience and support while I worked on this thesis and also worked various jobs to put myself through school. My children have also been supportive and provided the main impetus to get the thesis done. The thesis would not have been possible without the approval and support from Dr. Richard Hansen and the El Mirador Archaeological Project. Adelzo Pozuelos provided me with graphics and with additional information I needed from the project. In dealing with the Late Classic Deanne G. Matheny provided me with a description and illustration of the LacNa Comlex excavations. Dr. Forsyth, my committee chair has been a valuable asset and has always been willing to help through his expansive knowledge of lowland Maya ceramics and cultural patterns. The other two members of the thesis committee, Dr. Clark and Dr. Allison, gave important comments that have helped make the thesis a better contribution to Maya archaeology. Contents Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 2 The Terminal Classic .................................................................................................................. 7 Natural Setting, Previous Research, and Culture History ......................................................... 12 Prior Research ........................................................................................................................... 14 Site Culture History .................................................................................................................. 18 Chapter 2: Ceramic Analysis ........................................................................................................ 24 Methods..................................................................................................................................... 24 Type-Variety Classification ...................................................................................................... 24 The Late Classic Ceramic Assemblage ..................................................................................... 31 Terminal Classic Types from El Mirador (Structures 2A8-2 and 3A8-1) ................................ 37 Frequencies at the Group Level ................................................................................................ 41 Ware, Slipped, Unslipped, Polychrome .................................................................................... 44 Modal Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 46 Vessel Form .......................................................................................................................... 46 Base Support Forms .................................................................................................................. 53 Vessel diameter ......................................................................................................................... 55 Surface Decoration.................................................................................................................... 58 Miscellaneous Observations ..................................................................................................... 61 Continuity and Change ............................................................................................................. 63 Chapter 3:Architecture, Special Deposits, and Burials ................................................................. 65 Late Classic Architecture .......................................................................................................... 65 Terminal Classic Architecture .................................................................................................. 69 Special Offerings ...................................................................................................................... 75 Burials ....................................................................................................................................... 76 Social Memory .......................................................................................................................... 77 Continuity and Change: Late and Terminal Classic Architecture ............................................ 81 Chapter 4: El Mirador in a Regional Setting ................................................................................ 84 Altar de Sacrificios ................................................................................................................... 86 Architecture........................................................................................................................... 90 iv Uaxactun ................................................................................................................................... 92 Ceramics ............................................................................................................................... 92 Calakmul ................................................................................................................................... 95 Ceramics ............................................................................................................................... 95 Architecture........................................................................................................................... 99 El Mirador: Differences and Similarities to Regional Patterns .............................................. 102 Chapter 5: Organization of Ceramic Production ........................................................................ 104 Level 1: Polychrome Vessels .................................................................................................. 104 Level 2, General Pottery Production ....................................................................................... 108 Decline in Polychrome Production ......................................................................................... 110 Fine Paste Replacement .......................................................................................................... 113 Chapter 6: Access to Foreign Goods .......................................................................................... 117 Long Distance Imported Goods At El Mirador ...................................................................... 121 Prestige