WKU Anth 336 Web Notes Mesoamerica Maya

ANTH 336 New World Prehistory
Dr. Darlene Applegate
Fall 2006
Mesoamerica Culture Area
Lowland Maya Civilization

TIME PERIODS

Pre-Classic Period
1000 BC to AD 250

Classic Period
AD 250 to AD 900

Post-Classic Period
post-AD 900

LOCATION

lowland rain forests of the Yucatan Peninsula and “Peten” areas of Mesoamerica, in present-day countries of Guatemala, Belize, Mexico

also in highlands of western Honduras and El Salvador

Map Showing the Lowland and Highland Zones of the Maya Territory,
Including Important Maya Sites.
http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mayas.htm

Map Showing the Extent of the Maya Civilization, Including Important Maya Sites.
http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mayas.htm

ORIGINS

earliest developments occurred in the highlands to the south

Maya civilization was an indigenous development related to trade, political alliances, economic shortages, overcoming environmental challenges, the develoment of silviculture (forest management practices), or some combination of these factors

SUBSISTENCE

agriculture based on raised fields

Aerial Photograph of Relict Raised Fields in Quintana Roo Province
of Mexico. http://www.agroecology.org/cases/prehispanic.htm

DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES

roof combs on pyramid temples

a roof comb is a stone construction, often with open lattice work, atop pyramid temples

roof combs gave the appearance of greater height of pyramid temples

roof combs often were carved or painted with zoomorphic or anthropomorphic motifs as well as texts

(Left) Roof Comb on the Temple of the Inscriptions at the Maya Site of Palenque, Mexico.
(Center) Artist Reconstruction of Vulture Motif on Roof Comb.
(Right) Open Lattice Roof Comb on Temple at Yaxchilan, Mexico.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_civilization
http://www.civilization.ca/civil/maya/mmp02eng.html
http://www.questconnect.org/mexico_yaxchilan_photos.htm

corbeled vaults

corbeled vaults are arches formed by laying consecutive courses of horizontal stone with progressively smaller gaps to create a curved or triangular opening

arch

(Left) Schematic of Corbeled Vault Construction and (Right) Corbeled Vault at the
Governor's Palace at the Maya Site of Uxmal, Mexico.
http://www.answers.com/topic/corbel-arch
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Arco_maya.jpg

SETTLEMENT STRATEGY

settlement system: primary ceremonial complexes with surrounding domestic dwellings as secondary complexes

SITES

Chichen Itza, Mexico

located in the northern lowlands
occupied during the Classic and Post-Classic periods
also under Toltec and Mayapan influence during the Post-Classic period
ceremonial center includes pyramid temples, platform temples, platforms, seven ball courts, and three cenotes
the most famous pyramid temple at Chichen Itza is El Castillo (The Castle)
El Caracol (The Shell) or The Observatory is a structure believed to have been used for making astronomical observations
cenotes are water-filled sinkholes with sacred attributions; sacrifices of people and items were made in the cenotes

Map (Left) and Artist Reconstruction (Right) of the Ceremonial Center at Chichen Itza.
http://www.cancun.com/Mayan_Ruins/Chichen_Itza/Map/
http://www.world-mysteries.com/chichen_index.htm

(Left) El Castillo (The Castle) Pyramid Temple at Chichen Itza. (Right) El Caracol (The Shell) or The Observatory at Chichen Itza.
http://www.great-adventures.com/destinations/mexico/history.html
http://www.mtsu.edu/~socwork/cancun/observ.htm

Tikal, Guatemala

located in the southern lowlands
most significant occupations occurred during the Classic Period
ceremonial center included temple pyramids, two acropolii (walled citadels with bureaucratic functions), palaces, and plazas
ceremonial center was accessed by several causeways, or earthen thoroughfares that rose above the surrounding lowlands
ceremonial center was surrounded by residential areas and, beyond the residences, agricultural fields
the peak population of Tikal is estimated at 100,000-200,000

Plan View of Ceremonial Center at Tikal, Surrounded by Residences and Causeways. http://mayaruins.com/tikal/

tikal

Temple II on the West Side of the Great Plaza in the Ceremonial Center of Tikal.
Note Roof Comb on Temple at Top of Pyramid and Stela at Base of Steps.
http://mayaruins.com/tikal/

Copan, Honduras

located in the highlands
occupied from about AD 435 to 984
ceremonial center included pyramid temples, ball courts, acropoli, platforms, and plazas
renowned for stelae with portraits of rulers and other important individuals
the peak population is estimated at about 20,000

Map of the Ceremonial Center at Copan. http://www.ultimatejourney.com/chap144.html

copan

Artist Reconstruction of the Ceremonial Center at Copan.
http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/ancient-copan.htm

stela

(Left) Portrait Stela of Ruler 18 Rabbits at Copan. (Right) Artist Reconstruction of Copan
Pyramid Temple with Glyph Stairway and Portrait Stela.
http://www.ultimatejourney.com/chap144.html
http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/ancient-copan.htm

other sites include El Mirador, Uaxactun, Dos Pilas, Palenque, Yaxchilan, Uxmal, and Quiriga

POLITICAL ORGANIZATION

theocratic city-states, based on ceremonial centers

city-states arranged in polygonal pattern

power shifted between primary centers as allegiences between different city-states changed over time

DECLINE

a variety of possible factors have been identified, including ecological collapse, natural catastrophe, disease, cultural evolution, invasion, internal revolt, overpopulation, or some combination of these factors

some populations that abandoned ceremonial centers moved north into upper Yucatan Peninsula

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Page composed by Darlene Applegate, darlene.applegate@wku.edu
Last updated on November 7, 2006
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