Domestic and Political Lives of Classic Maya Elites: The Excavation of Rapidly Abandoned Structures at Aguateca, Guatemala

Inomata, Takeshi; Triadan, Daniela; Ponciano, Erick; Pinto, Estela; Terry, Richard E.; Eberl, Markus

doi:10.2307/972113

Cited by 89 publications

(86 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(16 reference statements)

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“…Located in the Pasión region, Aguateca was studied from 1990 through 2005 by T.I., D.T., and K.A., providing 11 radiocarbon dates. Bachand excavated Punta de Chimino as part of the Aguateca Project and obtained 11 radiocarbon assays (19)(20)(21). We began to work at Ceibal as the Ceibal-Petexbatun Archaeological Project (CPAP) in 2005.…”

Section: Ceibalmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-precision radiocarbon dating of political collapse and dynastic origins at the Maya site of Ceibal, Guatemala

Inomata

Triadan

MacLellan

et al. 2017

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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The lowland Maya site of Ceibal, Guatemala, had a long history of occupation, spanning from the Middle Preclassic Period through the Terminal Classic (1000 BC to AD 950). The Ceibal-Petexbatun Archaeological Project has been conducting archaeological investigations at this site since 2005 and has obtained 154 radiocarbon dates, which represent the largest collection of radiocarbon assays from a single Maya site. The Bayesian analysis of these dates, combined with a detailed study of ceramics, allowed us to develop a high-precision chronology for Ceibal. Through this chronology, we traced the trajectories of the Preclassic collapse around AD 150-300 and the Classic collapse around AD 800-950, revealing similar patterns in the two cases. Social instability started with the intensification of warfare around 75 BC and AD 735, respectively, followed by the fall of multiple centers across the Maya lowlands around AD 150 and 810. The population of Ceibal persisted for some time in both cases, but the center eventually experienced major decline around AD 300 and 900. Despite these similarities in their diachronic trajectories, the outcomes of these collapses were different, with the former associated with the development of dynasties centered on divine rulership and the latter leading to their downfalls. The Ceibal dynasty emerged during the period of low population after the Preclassic collapse, suggesting that this dynasty was placed under the influence from, or by the direct intervention of, an external power.Maya archaeology | political collapse | dynastic origins | radiocarbon dating | Bayesian statistics

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Section: Ceibalmentioning

confidence: 99%

High-precision radiocarbon dating of political collapse and dynastic origins at the Maya site of Ceibal, Guatemala

Inomata

Triadan

MacLellan

et al. 2017

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…The North Group consists of a large platform which is topped by one long palace-like construction with fourteen or so chambers (Structure W), one low platform that is almost flat at the top (Structure 99) and at least two low mounds which, most probably are the remains of residential constructions (figure 3 The walls were preserved up to a height of 0.30/0.50 m and it appears that its lower parts were constructed of masonry while its upper section and roof were made of perishable materials (figure 5), similar to many other Maya structures (e.g. at Aguateca; see Inomata et al, 2002). The floor of Structure 99A was scattered with numerous artefacts (figure 6).…”

Section: Structure 99 and Terminal Classic Occupationmentioning

confidence: 68%

“…Pottery is usually intentionally scattered around and it is interesting that the vessels are only partially reconstructable (Stross, 1998). What is even more interesting is that ritual deposits of this type never contain animal bones (only as carved artifacts), while human bones are sometimes present (in spite of this, the structure usually cannot be considered a burial (Farr and Arroyave, 2007;Inomata et al, 2001). In some instances, all area of the ritual was found covered with a layer of white marl or clay (Wagner, 2002;Freidel et al, 1998).…”

Section: Structure 99 and Terminal Classic Occupationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Excavations in Nakum structure 99: new data on Protoclassic rituals and Precolumbian Maya beekeeping

Źrałka¹,

Koszkul²,

Radnicka³

et al. 2014

Estudios de Cultura Maya

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Structure 99, located on top of a large platform occupies a major and prominent part of the North Group complex of the Maya site of Nakum situated in the north-eastern area of Guatemala. Archaeological excavations realized in this structure during a few field seasons have revealed interesting data about the very last moment of Nakum's development during the Terminal Classic period (AD 800-900/950). It also revealed important traces of architectural and ritual activities from the still enigmatic Protoclassic phase (ca. 100 BC-AD 300). Scattered ceramics, stone tools and human bones found on top of Structure 99 -associated with the final hours of its occupation as well as Protoclassic offerings discovered in the lowest layers of this construction, including intriguing clay heads and jade pendants-are evidence of important ceremonial activities and beliefs that everything in the world is alive. By caching or destroying artifacts within the building, it is symbolically animated or killed by the Maya. This paper presents the results of the most important research conducted in Structure 99 that contributes to our knowledge on the ritual and architectural activities of two crucial periods in the history of Nakum: the Protoclassic and Terminal Classic. Among numerous findings described in this article, there is one that merits special attention. It is a cylindrical ceramic artifact lately identified as a beehive, providing a new perspective on beekeeping by the ancient Maya. The artifact is dated to the Protoclassic phase and is one of the oldest beehives discovered in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica.Keywords: Maya culture, Terminal Classic, Protoclassic, termination rituals, beekeeping, beehive.resumen: El Edificio 99, ubicado en la cima de una gran plataforma ocupó un lugar prominente en el complejo denominado el Grupo Norte del sitio maya de Nakum, en el noreste de Guatemala. Durante los recientes trabajos de campo que se llevaron a cabo en esta parte del sitio, se han revelado algunos datos interesantes sobre el último momento del florecimiento de Nakum durante el Clásico Terminal (800-86 estudios de cultura maya xliv 900/950 d.C.). Además se hallaron vestigios importantes de la actividad constructiva y ritual perteneciente a la enigmática fase Protoclásica (ca. 100 a.C.-300 d.C.). Tanto la cerámica dispersa, las herramientas de piedra y los huesos humanos encontrados en la cima del Edificio 99 con fecha del Clásico Terminal, así como las ofrendas colocadas debajo de esta construcción, que incluyen intrigantes cabezas de barro y colgantes de jade, son evidencia de actividades ceremoniales muy importantes y creencias religiosas según las cuales cada cosa del mundo está viva. Al esconder o destruir diversos artefactos en el edificio, los mayas animan o matan simbólica-mente esta construcción. Entre los numerosos hallazgos efectuados en el área del Edificio 99, hay uno que merece una atención especial. Es un artefacto cilíndrico de cerámica, identificado en última instancia como una colmena, que proporciona una nue...

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“…Tetimpa in Puebla is another site where volcanic deposition has produced well-preserved remains (Panfil et al, 1998;Plunket and Uruñuela, 1998). Aguateca (Inomata and Stiver, 1998;Inomata et al, 2002) and Xochicalco (González Crespo et al, 1995;Webb and Hirth, 2000) were rapidly abandoned political capitals with rich house floor assemblages. These and other case studies are brought together in Inomata and Webb (2003).…”

Section: Household Archaeologymentioning

confidence: 98%

New World States and Empires: Economic and Social Organization

Smith

Schreiber

2005

J Archaeol Res

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We take a critical perspective in discussing recent publications on the archaeological study of the ancient state-level societies of Latin America. For some topics, such as intensive agriculture and exchange, data are far ahead of theory, whereas for others (e.g., gender and ethnicity), theory has outstripped data. Craft production, a topic that has achieved a good balance of data and theory, is one of the success stories of recent Latin American archaeology. After a discussion of sources of data, we review these and other topics (e.g., consumption patterns, household studies, social organization) in terms of both data and theory. In a second review article, we cover the topics of politics, religion, urbanism, and the processes of change.

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Domestic and Political Lives of Classic Maya Elites: The Excavation of Rapidly Abandoned Structures at Aguateca, Guatemala

Cited by 89 publications

References 20 publications

High-precision radiocarbon dating of political collapse and dynastic origins at the Maya site of Ceibal, Guatemala

High-precision radiocarbon dating of political collapse and dynastic origins at the Maya site of Ceibal, Guatemala

Excavations in Nakum structure 99: new data on Protoclassic rituals and Precolumbian Maya beekeeping

New World States and Empires: Economic and Social Organization

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