Figurines Are Us? The Social Organization of Jaina Island, Campeche, Mexico

McVicker, Donald

doi:10.1017/s0956536112000168

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 23 publications

(28 reference statements)

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“…The theme of the face emerging from the mouth of a serpent is well known in Maya art, perhaps most famously in the Yaxchilan lintels in northeast Chiapas (Schele & Freidel 1990). The features and proportions of the faces have some similarity to those of human figures depicted on cylindrical censer stands at Palenque and its region (Cuevas García 2007, 59), and also some Jaina Island figurines (McVicker 2012, figs 5a & 7b). This suggests that the incense-burner lids from Moxviquil may have had stylistic influence from the eastern Gulf Coast or Middle Usumacinta, as represented in Palenque or Yaxchilan, which is also consistent with the presence of a Balancán Fine Orange bowl in the same tomb (see below).…”

Section: The Moxviquil Incense-burner Coversmentioning

confidence: 81%

Gulf Coast Influence at Moxviquil, Chiapas, Mexico

Paris

Bravo

2019

CAJ

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This article presents evidence for the shifting economic networks and cultural relationships between the Jovel Valley of highland Chiapas, and the Gulf Coast lowlands. In particular, we examine material culture of Gulf Coast origin or influence at the hilltop monumental centre of Moxviquil during the Late Classic (ad 600–900) and Early Postclassic (ad 900–1250) periods. These artifacts include a fine orange cylindrical pedestal vase, two examples of ‘portable sculpture’, two anthropomorphic incense burner lids and a whistle (ocarina) in the shape of a kneeling woman. The patterns of curation and disposal of these objects at Moxviquil suggests differences in the way that Gulf Coast-referencing objects were incorporated into social memory and ritual behaviour.

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Section: The Moxviquil Incense-burner Coversmentioning

confidence: 81%

Gulf Coast Influence at Moxviquil, Chiapas, Mexico

Paris

Bravo

2019

CAJ

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“…Archeological evidence suggests prehistoric settlements in the region (Braswell, ; Stanton, ). Scherer () and McVicker () reported the presence of sedentary human settlement on the Islands of Jaina, Piedra and Uaymil during AD 600–900, and all these sites are located at distances of ∼10 km from the core location in this study. Jaina Island was an important acropolis and fishing port.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Late Holocene hydroclimate of the western Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico)

Roy

Torrescano-Valle

Islebe

et al. 2017

J Quaternary Science

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Chemical composition, magnetic susceptibility and texture of sediments in a swamp from the Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve provide information about late Holocene hydrological variations on the western margin of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Periods of lower than average amounts of K‐bearing clastics during 2580–2050, 1100–825 and 700–160 cal a BP represent drought intervals. Magnetic minerals were better preserved during these arid intervals, as the swamp was not perennially anoxic. Hydroclimate was unstable during 2580–2050 cal a BP, as several storm‐surge events occurred within an overall arid interval. The drought of 1100–825 cal a BP was contemporary with the Terminal Classic Period and the drought of 700–160 cal a BP was characterized by the lowest erosion as well as highest abundance of authigenic carbonate. Comparison with other climate proxy records from the region suggests that droughts had different geographic coverage. We attribute the different geographic coverage of droughts to variable strengths of polar continental air masses as well as dynamics of the Caribbean Low Level Jet and tropical cyclones that brought precipitation into different parts of the peninsula.

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“…Halperin suggests that Maya figurines were used in commemorating the life cycles of individuals, including death, and that they also invoked concepts of “monumental time” (Halperin 2017:532–535, see also McVicker 2012). That is, they contributed to enduring transgenerational conceptualizations of self and society, as well as long cycles of state religious practice and belief.…”

Section: Effigy Censer and Figurine Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Effigy Censer and Figurine Production at the Postclassic Maya City of Mayapan, Mexico

et al. 2022

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The spatial contexts of effigy censer and figurine molds at Mayapan, Yucatan, Mexico suggest a tightly controlled industry in which elite representatives of state government and religious orders exerted oversight over production and distribution. Attached artisans at Mayapan made these and other restricted goods for residents of palaces and patrons of the city's public buildings. The study of effigy ceramic production reveals that, like earlier, Classic period Maya kingdoms, Postclassic elites also sponsored the crafting of symbolically charged goods. This finding expands understanding of Postclassic period economic organization, which is best-known for its expansive regional market exchange. The limited distribution of effigy censers and figurines further attests their primary use in the context of state-sponsored ceremonies and, to a lesser extent, high-status mortuary settings. Unlike other places and times in Mesoamerica, neither figurines nor effigy censers are representative of household-scale religious practice for the majority of urban residents at Mayapan.

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Figurines Are Us? The Social Organization of Jaina Island, Campeche, Mexico

Cited by 5 publications

References 23 publications

Gulf Coast Influence at Moxviquil, Chiapas, Mexico

Gulf Coast Influence at Moxviquil, Chiapas, Mexico

Late Holocene hydroclimate of the western Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico)

Effigy Censer and Figurine Production at the Postclassic Maya City of Mayapan, Mexico

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