From E-Group to Funerary Pyramid: Mortuary Cults and Ancestor Veneration in the Maya Centre of Nakum, Petén, Guatemala

Abstract

Recent investigations at the Maya centre of Nakum (in Guatemala) enabled the study of the evolution of an interesting complex of buildings that started as the so-called E-Group, built during the Preclassic period (c. 600–300 bc). It was used for solar observations and rituals commemorating agricultural and calendrical cycles. During the Classic period (ad 250–800), the major building of the complex (Structure X) was converted into a large pyramidal temple where several burials, including at least one royal tomb, were placed. We were also able to document evidence of mortuary cults conducted by the Maya in the temple building situated above the burials. The architectural conversion documented in Structure X may reflect important religious and social changes: a transformation from the place where the Sun was observed and worshipped to the place where deceased and deified kings were apotheosized as the Sun Deity during the Classic. Thus the Maya transformed Structure X into one of the most sacred loci at Nakum by imbuing it with a complex solar and underworld symbolism and associating it with the cult of deified ancestors.

Dinámica Del Desarrollo Cultural Y Sociopolítico De Nakum, Guatemala Durante El Preclásico Medio

“…El entierro pudo ser de carácter dedicatorio o estar relacionado con la veneración de los antepasados. Cabe añadir que el culto y la veneración de los antepasados fueron actividades estrictamente relacionadas con muchos Grupos E a partir del periodo preclásico (véase Brown 2017; Źrałka et al 2017). Las prácticas de dedicación de ofrendas o entierros en los ejes de los Grupos E son bien conocidas en varios sitios del área maya como Ceibal (Aoyama et al 2017; Inomata et al 2013), Cival (Estrada-Belli 2012) y Tikal (Laporte y Fialko 1990, 1995), entre otros (véase Brown 2017).…”

“…Cabe señalar que los lugares con la mayor concentración de cerámica pre-Mamom en Nakum (Estructura 103 y sus edificios adyacentes) fueron lugares de ocupación continua y de actividad ritual durante las fases posteriores de los periodos preclásico y clásico. En aquel tiempo, las actividades se centraron, principalmente, en la veneración de los antepasados, cuyos entierros, junto con varias ofrendas, se depositaron en la plataforma oriental del Grupo E del sector norte (Źrałka et al 2017). La cerámica más antigua del complejo pre-Mamom podría haberse utilizado en esos lugares, tanto en Nakum como en muchos otros sitios, principalmente durante las reuniones sociales o eventos festivos importantes (Estrada-Belli 2012:204).…”

Astronomical aspects of Group E-type complexes and implications for understanding ancient Maya architecture and urban planning

“…During excavations in several E Groups, offerings and burials have been found along their central axes, for example, at Tikal [ 41 , 42 ], Caracol [ 5 ], Ceibal [ 43 , 44 ], Nakum [ 45 ], and Cival [ 46 ], but not along the lateral alignments. Among the offerings located along the central axis of the Lost World E Group of Tikal, there were even ceramic pieces with designs of possible astronomical connotation [ 42 ].…”

Revisiting the Past: Material Negotiations between the Classic Maya and an Entombed Sweat Bath at Xultun, Guatemala

“…Kieffer 2015; Massey & Steele 1997; Scherer 2018; Tiesler et al 2002; 2012) or related to acts of ancestor veneration (e.g. Carroll 2015; Hotaling et al 2017; Źrałka et al 2017). However, observations pertaining to perimortem trauma noted during our analysis prevent the interpretation of sacrifice for this individual.…”