essay
The evolution of complex societies in southeastern Mesoamerica: new evidence from El Mesak, Guatemala
formation of complex society in southeastern mesoamerica • Boca Raton • Published In 1991 • Pages: 77-100
By: Pye, Mary E., Demarest, Arthur Andrew.
Abstract
The El Mesak site is located in an area of rich estuaries and mangroves on the Pacific coast of Guatemala. It is an extensive settlement with over 50 mounds. The cultural phases represented at the site include Locona/Ocos (1550-1100 B.C.), Cuadras (1100-950 B.C.), Jocotal (950-800 B.C.), up to the Late Preclassic Crucero (550 B.C.- A.D. 100). Pye and Demarest discuss the ceramics and structures from each phase. The findings of jade ornaments and ceramics with Olmec 'were-jaguar' motifs suggest elite ties to the Middle Preclassic Olmec phenomenon.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2001
- Region
- Middle America and the Caribbean
- Sub Region
- Maya Area
- Document Type
- essay
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Archaeologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 2000
- Field Date
- 1987-1988 (El Mesak Project)
- Coverage Date
- 3500-2800 BP
- Coverage Place
- El Mesak, Retalhuleu, Guatemala
- Notes
- Mary E. Pye ; Arthur A. Demarest
- Revised papers from the 86th Annual Meeting of the American Anthropological Association, Chicago, Nov. 1987, and additional material
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 98-100)
- LCCN
- 91010478
- LCSH
- Mayas--Antiquities