essay

Social and political organization in the land of cacao and honey: correlating the archaeology and ethnohistory of the Postclassic lowland Maya

late lowland maya civilization : classic to postclassicAlbuquerque • Published In 1986 • Pages: 347-377

By: Chase, Diane Z..

Abstract
Diane Chase uses archaeological and ethnohistoric data to examine social and political organization. The archaeological data mainly come from the site of Santa Rita Corozal in Belize. Her findings on social status indicate a continuum of statuses rather than just nobles, commoners, and slaves. Settlement patterns indicate major centers had barrios with and without defined site centers. Chase also examines settlement hierarchy and regional artifact patterns, such as those seen in ceramics, to discuss 'boundaries of the provinces or allied areas, which were initially defined from documentary evidence [and which] can be assessed and partially confirmed archaeologically,' (page 377).
Subjects
Theoretical orientation in research and its results
Prehistory
Cultural participation
Ceramic technology
Settlement patterns
Classes
Social relationships and groups
Community structure
Territorial hierarchy
Burial practices and funerals
tradition
Postclassic Maya
HRAF PubDate
2001
Region
Middle America and the Caribbean
Sub Region
Maya Area
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Archaeologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Sarah Berry ; 2000
Field Date
1979, 1980
Coverage Date
Postclassic
Coverage Place
Lowland Maya; Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico
Notes
Diane Z. Chase
For bibliographical references see document number 6:Anonymous
LCCN
85016513
LCSH
Mayas--Antiquities