Maya Archaeology Notes 4 of 13

Middle Pre-Classic Period (MPC) – Filling in of Maya Lowlands and Signs of Differentiation

  1. Puleston found evidence for “raised fields”. During excavation, team found an ax used in the making of the field. This evidence was dated 900 BC.
  2. Their social order moved from egalitarian to ranked social system (kinship-based indicator).
  3. Evidence of differentiation include:
    • In areas like Nakbe and Mirador, buildings measuring 10-15 meters high were found (600-700 BC).
    • Differentiation found in sizes of houses.
    • Prestige items especially Jade and Obsidian were found here.
    • Iconography was present. This is a set of symbols that the society’s inhabitants were able to understand the implications of.
    • Iconography shows practical factors including political, religious, ritualistic and economic factors.
    • A culture’s world view that places the individual within that structure of world.
    • Iconography represents symbols of kinship, rank and religion.
    • Iconography help to maintain societies and their cultural identities.
    • Pottery around 900 BC showed much regional variation. The pottery becomes more similar by 400 BC reflecting the Mamom style.

Leave a Reply