Abstract

This article focuses on the role of water control in emergence and demise Classic Maya political power (c. C.E. 250‐950), one that scholars have long underestimated. The scale correlates with degree power, reflected three levels civic‐ceremonial centers—regional, secondary, minor. Such derives from a complex relationship among center location, seasonal supply, amount agricultural land, settlement density. kings monopolized artificial reservoirs other sources during annual drought, providing...

Emerging leaders may replicate and expand traditional rituals to integrate increasingly larger numbers of people, advance political agendas, situate change within known cultural constructs. Ritual events enable them not only promote surplus production but, more significant, appropriate it, funds an expanding economy as well ceremonies other public events. Consequently, the relationship between resources, settlement, is critical. For ancient Maya, variable distribution resources people...

The critical importance of water is undeniable. It particularly vital in semitropical regions with noticeable wet and dry seasons, such as the southern Maya lowlands. Not enough rain results decreasing supply quality, failed crops, famine. Too much flooding, destruction, poor We show not only how Classic (ca. A.D. 250–950) society dealt annual seasonal extremes, but also kings farmers responded differently face a series droughts Terminal period 800–950). are still around today; kings,...

In this chapter, I present a model of the development Classic Maya polities in which economy and ideology articulated to form basis political power. Power is manifested by ability acquire tribute from subjects. Many largest grew areas without lakes or rivers but with seasonal water sources such as natural rain‐fed aguadas and/or swamps bajos. At large centers, rulers built immense reservoirs that would have met daily needs during annual dry season (January through April/May). argue control...

The Classic Maya (ad 250–950) landscape was imbued with sacred, animate qualities. Of particular significance were openings in the earth, such as caves and pools because, portals to underworld, could communicate gods ancestors petition for plentiful rain crops. 25 of Cara Blanca, Belize embody a place; their isolation from settled communities relatively sparse but unique architecture near suggest that it served pilgrimage destination. Growing evidence exploratory dives excavations at...

ABSTRACT In this chapter we present the major transitions in Maya history from Late Preclassic through Terminal Classic periods Lowlands, focusing first on settlement and subsistence systems, followed by social environmental costs. We particularly focus how built relied increasingly complex water agricultural systems to adapt humid tropics where everything life was rainfall dependent. The seasonality of required innovative strategies contain throughout long dry season face growing population...

The Classic Maya of the southern lowlands were one with world rather than nature, a view that promoted conservation their for millennia, what I term cosmology conservation. explore how cosmocentric worldview fostered biodiversity and by discussing ceremonial circuit pilgrimage destination Cara Blanca, Belize. Here left minimal footprint in form buildings from which they performed ceremonies, doing part to maintain at several 25 water bodies/portals underworld. intensified visits when...

Classic Maya inscriptions and iconography reveal more than just royal customs since their origins lie in traditional practices. They provide a key to unlocking how commoners created own domestic universe. To explore mapped cosmology recorded history, I discuss ceramic clusters based on color, placement, association with other artifacts at the minor center of Saturday Creek, Belize. Results show that cached items served contextualize place cosmos. Commoners may not have had written word, but...

The geochemical analysis of an extinct giant sloth tooth from Belize reveals past climate, seasonality, diet, and adaptation.

Sustainable practices in the present are typically designed to mitigate immediate concerns over decadal timespans. In face of exponential population growth, overuse resources, and global climate change, this time span is inadequate; longer, more resilient sustainable options need be implemented. Here, we tackle intersection human behavior urban environment by taking a holistic approach—that is, non-anthropocentric approach critical ensure longevity, or even survival, planet. We thus urbanism...

The Classic Maya (c. 250 to 900 CE) in the tropical southern lowlands of Central America dealt with water scarcity during annual dry seasons and periods climate instability via sophisticated urban reservoir systems they relied on for over a thousand years. Surface is limited because typically rain percolates through karstic terrain. I posit that reservoirs functioned as do constructed wetlands (CWs) at present. Still-water like CWs can become stagnant nonpotable due build-up nutrients...

Temples provide sanctuary, a home for the gods, place to worship, stage ceremonies, depository offerings, and redistribute goods. Finally, temples an arena political competition. The role of Maya temples, however, is not so clear. Inscriptions, when present, detail who built some but if nonroyals them, they were specific why many. presence several in any given center might indicate that various groups them served as arenas compete status, prestige, power. If this case, then people may have...