Maya Postclassic State Formation

Maya Postclassic State Formation PDF Author: John W. Fox
Publisher: CUP Archive
ISBN: 9780521321105
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 338

Get Book Here

Book Description
John Fox here offers a fresh and persuasive view of the crucial Classic-Postclassic transition that determined the shape of the later Maya state. Drawing this data from ethnographic analogy and native chronicles as well as archaeology, he identifies segmentary lineage organisation as the key to understanding both the political organisation and the long-distance migrations observed among the Quiche Maya of Guatemala and Mexico. The first part of the book traces the origins of the Quiche, Itza and Xiu to the homeland on the Mexican Gulf coast where they acquired their potent Toltec mythology and identifies early segmentary lineages that developed as a result of social forces in the frontier zone. Dr Fox then matches the known anthropological characteristics of segmentary lineages against the Mayan kinship relationships described in documents and deduced from the spatial patterning within Quiche towns and cities. His conclusion, that the inherently fissile nature of segmentary lineages caused the leapfrogging migrations of up to 500km observed amongst the Maya, offers a convincing solution to a problem that has long puzzled scholars.

Maya Postclassic State Formation

Maya Postclassic State Formation PDF Author: John W. Fox
Publisher: CUP Archive
ISBN: 9780521321105
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 338

Get Book Here

Book Description
John Fox here offers a fresh and persuasive view of the crucial Classic-Postclassic transition that determined the shape of the later Maya state. Drawing this data from ethnographic analogy and native chronicles as well as archaeology, he identifies segmentary lineage organisation as the key to understanding both the political organisation and the long-distance migrations observed among the Quiche Maya of Guatemala and Mexico. The first part of the book traces the origins of the Quiche, Itza and Xiu to the homeland on the Mexican Gulf coast where they acquired their potent Toltec mythology and identifies early segmentary lineages that developed as a result of social forces in the frontier zone. Dr Fox then matches the known anthropological characteristics of segmentary lineages against the Mayan kinship relationships described in documents and deduced from the spatial patterning within Quiche towns and cities. His conclusion, that the inherently fissile nature of segmentary lineages caused the leapfrogging migrations of up to 500km observed amongst the Maya, offers a convincing solution to a problem that has long puzzled scholars.

Re-Creating Primordial Time

Re-Creating Primordial Time PDF Author: Gabrielle Vail
Publisher: University Press of Colorado
ISBN: 1607322218
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 534

Get Book Here

Book Description
Re-Creating Primordial Time offers a new perspective on the Maya codices, documenting the extensive use of creation mythology and foundational rituals in the hieroglyphic texts and iconography of these important manuscripts. Focusing on both pre-Columbian codices and early colonial creation accounts, Vail and Hernández show that in spite of significant cultural change during the Postclassic and Colonial periods, the mythological traditions reveal significant continuity, beginning as far back as the Classic period. Remarkable similarities exist within the Maya tradition, even as new mythologies were introduced through contact with the Gulf Coast region and highland central Mexico. Vail and Hernández analyze the extant Maya codices within the context of later literary sources such as the Books of Chilam Balam, the Popol Vuh, and the Códice Chimalpopoca to present numerous examples highlighting the relationship among creation mythology, rituals, and lore. Compiling and comparing Maya creation mythology with that of the Borgia codices from highland central Mexico, Re-Creating Primordial Time is a significant contribution to the field of Mesoamerican studies and will be of interest to scholars of archaeology, linguistics, epigraphy, and comparative religions alike.

The Oxford Handbook of Mesoamerican Archaeology

The Oxford Handbook of Mesoamerican Archaeology PDF Author: Deborah L. Nichols
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199996342
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 996

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Oxford Handbook of Mesoamerican Archaeology provides a current and comprehensive guide to the recent and on-going archaeology of Mesoamerica. Though the emphasis is on prehispanic societies, this Handbook also includes coverage of important new work by archaeologists on the Colonial and Republican periods. Unique among recent works, the text brings together in a single volume article-length regional syntheses and topical overviews written by active scholars in the field of Mesoamerican archaeology. The first section of the Handbook provides an overview of recent history and trends of Mesoamerica and articles on national archaeology programs and practice in Central America and Mexico written by archaeologists from these countries. These are followed by regional syntheses organized by time period, beginning with early hunter-gatherer societies and the first farmers of Mesoamerica and concluding with a discussion of the Spanish Conquest and frontiers and peripheries of Mesoamerica. Topical and comparative articles comprise the remainder of Handbook. They cover important dimensions of prehispanic societies--from ecology, economy, and environment to social and political relations--and discuss significant methodological contributions, such as geo-chemical source studies, as well as new theories and diverse theoretical perspectives. The Handbook concludes with a section on the archaeology of the Spanish conquest and the Colonial and Republican periods to connect the prehispanic, proto-historic, and historic periods. This volume will be a must-read for students and professional archaeologists, as well as other scholars including historians, art historians, geographers, and ethnographers with an interest in Mesoamerica.

State and Society

State and Society PDF Author: John Gledhill
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 0415122554
Category : Political anthropology
Languages : en
Pages : 366

Get Book Here

Book Description
The traditional Eurocentric view of state formation and the rise of civilization is challenged in this broad-ranging book. Bringing archaeological research into contact with the work of ethno-historians and anthropologists, it generates a discussion of fundamental concepts rather than a search for modern analogies for processes that occurred in the past.

Mesoamerican Elites

Mesoamerican Elites PDF Author: Diane Z. Chase
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
ISBN: 9780806135427
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 394

Get Book Here

Book Description
In Mesoamerican Elites, Diane Z. Chase and Arlen F. Chase present a wide variety of essays, all of which evaluate current archaeological knowledge of the privileged ruling classes, or elites, in Mesoamerica. Some experts argue that Mesoamerican societies consisted only of elites and peasants, while others argue that considerable intermediate social levels also existed. In light of such diverse opinions, this volume addresses problems in the interpretation of archaeological evidence regarding ancient Mesoamerican social structure.

Archaeology of Ancient Mexico and Central America

Archaeology of Ancient Mexico and Central America PDF Author: Susan Toby Evans
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 9780815308874
Category : Archaeology
Languages : en
Pages : 1322

Get Book Here

Book Description
This reference is devoted to the pre-Columbian archaeology of the Mesoamerican culture area, one of the six cradles of early civilization. It features in-depth articles on the major cultural areas of ancient Mexico and Central America; coverage of important sites, including the world-renowned discoveries as well as many lesser-known locations; articles on day-to-day life of ancient peoples in these regions; and several bandw regional and site maps and photographs. Entries are arranged alphabetically and cover introductory archaeological facts (flora, fauna, human growth and development, nonorganic resources), chronologies of various periods (Paleoindian, Archaic, Formative, Classic and Postclassic, and Colonial), cultural features, Maya, regional summaries, research methods and resources, ethnohistorical methods and sources, and scholars and research history. Edited by archaeologists Evans and Webster, both of whom are associated with Pennsylvania State University. c. Book News Inc.

The Cambridge History of the Native Peoples of the Americas

The Cambridge History of the Native Peoples of the Americas PDF Author: Bruce G. Trigger
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521351652
Category : Eskimos
Languages : en
Pages : 618

Get Book Here

Book Description
Library holds volume 2, part 2 only.

Civilization of the Americas

Civilization of the Americas PDF Author: Ethan Gomez
Publisher: DTTV PUBLICATIONS
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 174

Get Book Here

Book Description
Introduction There is much more to Mesoamerica than the Aztec, Mayan, and Toltec civilizations. In fact, several different ancient Mesoamerican civilizations had their own gods and religious beliefs. These civilizations included the Olmec civilization, Zapotec civilization, Teotihuacan civilization, Maya civilization, Toltec civilization, and Aztec civilization. The Olmec civilization is the first known Mesoamerican civilization. The name Olmec comes from the Nahuatl word for rubber people, and they were pre-Columbian people living in what is now southern Mexico, in the modern-day states of Veracruz and Tabasco. The Olmecs are essential to history because they were the first Mesoamerican people to develop a writing system, use hieroglyphics, and construct significant stone monuments (such as pyramids). The calendar developed by the Olmecs was one of their most remarkable achievements. They based their calendar on 365 days divided into 18 months of 20 days each plus 5 extra days at the end of each year—so it was different from our current calendar! They also used zero as part of their number system, which is why we still use it today! The Zapotec civilization was in the Oaxaca Valley, Mexico. This Mesoamerican civilization was known for using the Mesoamerican writing system and art. The Zapotecs were one of the first civilizations in Mexico to develop a writing system. They used it to write on stone or pottery, but we don't know what their language sounded like because no one left any written records about them or their lives, so all that remains is physical evidence, like pottery with pictures and hieroglyphs carved into it. This type of evidence is called epigraphic because it's an inscription on something else (like a statue). The city of Teotihuacan was a center of trade and politics. It existed from about 300 BC until 600 AD when it was abandoned. The site has been a subject of archaeology since the 19th century; it is now an essential source of information on Mesoamerican civilization, among the most significant early cities in pre-Columbian America. The city is located just north of present-day Mexico City in the state (state = province/county) of Mexico, 65 km (40 miles) northeast of the Federal District (Mexico City). The name "Teotihuacan" means "place where men become gods," possibly an allusion to their belief that their rulers became divine after death. The Teotihuacanos were not only builders but also warriors; they fought with neighboring groups over territory and resources. Their most important military victory came in 378 AD against Xolalpan by capturing its ruler Cuauhtémoc and killing many Xolalpan warriors during battle. After this victory, they took over Xolalpan's lands, including Azcapotzalco, Colhuacan, and Tlaxcala areas, where they established their control over those regions along with other surrounding places like Cholula or Chichen Itza until finally falling into decline due to internal conflicts caused by constant wars between various ethnic groups within the Aztec Empire itself during its final years before being conquered by Spanish Conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés after they arrived at Cempoala Island (between Veracruz/Tamiahua province) in July 1519

Lost Science and Technology of the Mayan Civilization

Lost Science and Technology of the Mayan Civilization PDF Author: NORAH ROMNEY
Publisher: DTTV PUBLICATIONS
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 140

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Mayan civilization is one of the most fascinating cultures of all time. They flourished in Mesoamerica from around 300 BC to 900 AD, and their cities were more complex than any others at the time. The Maya built roads, developed an accurate measurement system for distances, and built enormous stone temples that served as centers of worship, astronomy, and astrology. They also had a well-developed written language, which they used to record their history and communicate important messages. This post will explore some of their most significant discoveries that have shaped our world today! The Mayan culture flourished in the Mesoamerican region from around 300 BC. The society was known for its unique and advanced knowledge of architecture, astronomy, calendar-making, and mathematics. The Mayans were one of the first civilizations in the Americas to develop a written language, and they had an extensive knowledge of astronomy, which they used to predict eclipses. Mayans lived in Mexico and Central America, especially on the Yucatan Peninsula, where they built sophisticated cities with pyramids and temples made of stone, such as Chichén Itzá or Uxmal. They also built many buildings with flat roofs named patios where people would come together to worship their gods while they watched dances performed by priests dressed in colorful costumes made from jaguar skins. The Maya had a well-developed written language. The Mayan writing system was developed before the invention of the wheel and is one of the oldest in existence. It was first used to record history, astronomy, and astrology but later became a way for people to communicate with each other. The Mayans turned out to be better mathematicians than we thought they were. Their calendar could easily track lunar cycles, solstices, and equinoxes without error; it also predicted eclipses with great accuracy.

Ancient Mesoamerica

Ancient Mesoamerica PDF Author: Richard E. Blanton
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 9780521446068
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 310

Get Book Here

Book Description
In this revised and updated 1993 edition the authors synthesize recent research to provide a comprehensive survey of Mesoamerica.