essay

The southern lowlands

lowland maya postclassic • Austin • Published In 1985 • Pages: 143-149

By: Chase, Arlen F. (Arlen Frank), Rice, Prudence M..

Abstract

This is a study of the Postclassic period in the southern Maya lowlands centered on the modern Department of Petén in northern Guatemala and extending into parts of adjacent Belize. The authors discuss events following the so-called 'Classic Maya collapse'. This 'collapse', according to Chase and Rice, has been magnified out of proportion by the lay public and scholars alike who envision warfare, epidemic disease and other apocalyptic disasters as a major cause of this cultural demise when actually this process involved more of a cultural transition to the Postclassic. Although striking changes and the cessation of previous patterns (e.g., in reference to settlements and ceramic styles) are in evidence during this period, by no means was their total abandoment of the southern lowlands as was previously hypothesized (p. 143). The continuing archaeological and ethnohistoric research into the Postclassic of the southern lowlands, as reflected in the various works referred to in the text, has demonstrated that there were areas of high population density, complex social systems, and well organized economic systems embracing extensive long distance trade networks in the area during this period. These trade links probably acted as a stabilizing force for political interrelations in the region (p. 148).

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

Analyst

John Beierle ; 2000

Field Date

no date

Coverage Date

1100 BP-480 BP (900 A.D.-1520 A.D.)

Coverage Place

southern lowlands: Department of Petén, Guatemala

Notes

[Arlen F. Chase and Prudence M. Rice]

For bibliographical references see document number 2:Anonymous

LCCN

84013168

LCSH

Mayas--Antiquities