acuña y matute / introducción a la arqueología de el tintal, petén 11 estudios de cultura maya lx... more acuña y matute / introducción a la arqueología de el tintal, petén 11 estudios de cultura maya lxii: 11-44 (otoño-invierno 2023)
La ocupación de El Tintal perduró durante milenio y medio, desde aproximadamente 600 a. C. hasta ... more La ocupación de El Tintal perduró durante milenio y medio, desde aproximadamente 600 a. C. hasta 900-1000 d. C., habiendo atravesado por dos apogeos culturales significativos: uno durante el periodo Preclásico Tardío (350 a. C.-200 d. C.) y el segundo en el Clásico Tardío (550-800 d. C.). Los resultados de investigaciones arqueológicas recientes nos informan sobre las particularidades culturales de cada periodo, las cuales atienden a las tradiciones y contexto sociopolítico regionales del momento. Por ejemplo, el hincapié en construcciones de gran volumen que definió el paisaje cultural y ceremonial preclásico, mientras que en el Clásico Tardío hubo un incremento notable en la densidad arquitectónica y extensión territorial del asentamiento. Con este aporte damos a conocer estos resultados, con el objetivo de crear un panorama diacrónico de la arqueología de El Tintal, un sitio mayormente desconocido.
Abstract The site of Nakum has been the subject of extensive archaeological investigation, but li... more Abstract The site of Nakum has been the subject of extensive archaeological investigation, but little is known of the subsistence practices or mobility of the Prehispanic Maya who lived there. This study employed a multi-isotopic approach to investigate the diet and mobility of the Nakum Maya. Despite the poor preservation typical of tropical environments, the isotopic compositions of five human bone samples were compared to carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur isotope baselines developed from 16 archaeological faunal specimens from Nakum. The bone collagen carbon and nitrogen results indicate that the Nakum Maya consumed a maize-based diet supplemented with other cultigens and animal protein. Stable carbon isotope values from the bioapatite of five human bone and seven human tooth samples show that maize was an important dietary component throughout life, although two individuals consumed less maize during childhood. The bone collagen sulphur data and strontium isotope results from three teeth indicate that the Nakum individuals consumed local foods. However, two human oxygen isotope values were lower than the local range developed from human bone and tooth enamel samples, indicating these individuals moved to the site from outside the Maya region. Although the faunal sulphur values were much higher than expected at an inland site due to the underlying marine carbonate limestone geology, one faunal sample exhibited a very low value, suggesting that it was imported to the site over a considerable distance. Finally, this is the first study to publish baseline sulphur isotope values derived from Maya faunal remains and contributes to a better understanding of this isotope system in the Maya region.
Recent investigations at the Maya centre of Nakum (in Guatemala) enabled the study of the evoluti... more Recent investigations at the Maya centre of Nakum (in Guatemala) enabled the study of the evolution of an interesting complex of buildings that started as the so-called E-Group, built during the Preclassic period (c. 600–300 bc ). It was used for solar observations and rituals commemorating agricultural and calendrical cycles. During the Classic period ( ad 250–800), the major building of the complex (Structure X) was converted into a large pyramidal temple where several burials, including at least one royal tomb, were placed. We were also able to document evidence of mortuary cults conducted by the Maya in the temple building situated above the burials. The architectural conversion documented in Structure X may reflect important religious and social changes: a transformation from the place where the Sun was observed and worshipped to the place where deceased and deified kings were apotheosized as the Sun Deity during the Classic. Thus the Maya transformed Structure X into one of th...
Recent investigations at the Maya centre of Nakum (located in northeastern Guatemala) included in... more Recent investigations at the Maya centre of Nakum (located in northeastern Guatemala) included intensive excavations of Structure X (a.k.a. Structure 104)-one of the largest pyramidal temples at this site. This research showed that the first major version of this building consisted of a three-terraced platform dated to the Middle Preclassic period (750-300 bc), which was part of an important complex, the so-called E-Group. Such groups constitute the oldest manifestation of monumental architecture in the Maya Lowlands. With time, Structure X was converted into a large pyramidal structure in which several burials were situated during the Classic period (ad 250-800), making it an important mausoleum with interments of important elite members of local society. One of these burials (no. 8) was discovered below the floor of the temple building located on top of the pyramid and was a richly equipped tomb. It is most likely the resting place of one of the Nakum kings reigning during the Early-Late Classic transition (c. ad 550-650). This tomb had 11 vessels, including beautiful examples of polychrome Maya ceramics (representing different supernatural beings), many marine materials, five stingray spines and other artefacts. The tomb chamber was also covered by a deposit consisting of several thousand flint flakes that most probably had some symbolic meaning. In this article we discuss ancient Maya burial customs as documented in Structure X and present it in a wider perspective. We also describe similar lithic deposits associated with some of the richest Lowland Maya tombs and present their meaning and symbolism. Resumen Las investigaciones recientes en el centro maya de Nakum (localizado en el Noreste de Guatemala) incluyeron excavaciones intensivas del Edificio X (también conocido como Edificio 104)-uno de los templos piramidales más grandes en este sitio. Los trabajos de investigación demostraron que la primera versión mayor de este edificio consistió en una plataforma de tres terrazas fechada para el período Preclásico Medio (750-300 a.C.), la que formaba parte de un complejo importante de edificaciones al que se denomina como tipo Grupo E. Este tipo de grupos constituyen la manifestación mas antigua de la arquitectura monumental en las Tierras Bajas Mayas. Con el tiempo, el Edificio X fue convertido en una piramide grande, en la cual durante el período Clásico (250-800 d.C.) fueron depositados varios entierros, lo que le convierte en un mausoleo importante que contiene sepulturas de los miembros de la elite local. Uno de estos entierros (No. 8) es una tumba con una rica
Recent investigations at the Maya centre of Nakum (in Guatemala) enabled the study of the evoluti... more Recent investigations at the Maya centre of Nakum (in Guatemala) enabled the study of the evolution of an interesting complex of buildings that started as the so-called E-Group, built during the Preclassic period ( c. 600–300 bc ). It was used for solar observations and rituals commemorating agricultural and calendrical cycles. During the Classic period ( ad 250–800), the major building of the complex (Structure X) was converted into a large pyramidal temple where several burials, including at least one royal tomb, were placed. We were also able to document evidence of mortuary cults conducted by the Maya in the temple building situated above the burials. The architectural conversion documented in Structure X may reflect important religious and social changes: a transformation from the place where the Sun was observed and worshipped to the place where deceased and deified kings were apotheosized as the Sun Deity during the Classic. Thus the Maya transformed Structure X into one of the most sacred loci at Nakum by imbuing it with a complex solar and underworld symbolism and associating it with the cult of deified ancestors.
El Proyecto PNO (Peten Noroccidente) investiga el sitio arqueologico Zapote Bobal entre 2004 y 20... more El Proyecto PNO (Peten Noroccidente) investiga el sitio arqueologico Zapote Bobal entre 2004 y 2006.
The PNO Archaeological Project (Peten North West) investigates the Zapote Bobal archaeological site between 2004 and 2006.
acuña y matute / introducción a la arqueología de el tintal, petén 11 estudios de cultura maya lx... more acuña y matute / introducción a la arqueología de el tintal, petén 11 estudios de cultura maya lxii: 11-44 (otoño-invierno 2023)
La ocupación de El Tintal perduró durante milenio y medio, desde aproximadamente 600 a. C. hasta ... more La ocupación de El Tintal perduró durante milenio y medio, desde aproximadamente 600 a. C. hasta 900-1000 d. C., habiendo atravesado por dos apogeos culturales significativos: uno durante el periodo Preclásico Tardío (350 a. C.-200 d. C.) y el segundo en el Clásico Tardío (550-800 d. C.). Los resultados de investigaciones arqueológicas recientes nos informan sobre las particularidades culturales de cada periodo, las cuales atienden a las tradiciones y contexto sociopolítico regionales del momento. Por ejemplo, el hincapié en construcciones de gran volumen que definió el paisaje cultural y ceremonial preclásico, mientras que en el Clásico Tardío hubo un incremento notable en la densidad arquitectónica y extensión territorial del asentamiento. Con este aporte damos a conocer estos resultados, con el objetivo de crear un panorama diacrónico de la arqueología de El Tintal, un sitio mayormente desconocido.
Abstract The site of Nakum has been the subject of extensive archaeological investigation, but li... more Abstract The site of Nakum has been the subject of extensive archaeological investigation, but little is known of the subsistence practices or mobility of the Prehispanic Maya who lived there. This study employed a multi-isotopic approach to investigate the diet and mobility of the Nakum Maya. Despite the poor preservation typical of tropical environments, the isotopic compositions of five human bone samples were compared to carbon, nitrogen, and sulphur isotope baselines developed from 16 archaeological faunal specimens from Nakum. The bone collagen carbon and nitrogen results indicate that the Nakum Maya consumed a maize-based diet supplemented with other cultigens and animal protein. Stable carbon isotope values from the bioapatite of five human bone and seven human tooth samples show that maize was an important dietary component throughout life, although two individuals consumed less maize during childhood. The bone collagen sulphur data and strontium isotope results from three teeth indicate that the Nakum individuals consumed local foods. However, two human oxygen isotope values were lower than the local range developed from human bone and tooth enamel samples, indicating these individuals moved to the site from outside the Maya region. Although the faunal sulphur values were much higher than expected at an inland site due to the underlying marine carbonate limestone geology, one faunal sample exhibited a very low value, suggesting that it was imported to the site over a considerable distance. Finally, this is the first study to publish baseline sulphur isotope values derived from Maya faunal remains and contributes to a better understanding of this isotope system in the Maya region.
Recent investigations at the Maya centre of Nakum (in Guatemala) enabled the study of the evoluti... more Recent investigations at the Maya centre of Nakum (in Guatemala) enabled the study of the evolution of an interesting complex of buildings that started as the so-called E-Group, built during the Preclassic period (c. 600–300 bc ). It was used for solar observations and rituals commemorating agricultural and calendrical cycles. During the Classic period ( ad 250–800), the major building of the complex (Structure X) was converted into a large pyramidal temple where several burials, including at least one royal tomb, were placed. We were also able to document evidence of mortuary cults conducted by the Maya in the temple building situated above the burials. The architectural conversion documented in Structure X may reflect important religious and social changes: a transformation from the place where the Sun was observed and worshipped to the place where deceased and deified kings were apotheosized as the Sun Deity during the Classic. Thus the Maya transformed Structure X into one of th...
Recent investigations at the Maya centre of Nakum (located in northeastern Guatemala) included in... more Recent investigations at the Maya centre of Nakum (located in northeastern Guatemala) included intensive excavations of Structure X (a.k.a. Structure 104)-one of the largest pyramidal temples at this site. This research showed that the first major version of this building consisted of a three-terraced platform dated to the Middle Preclassic period (750-300 bc), which was part of an important complex, the so-called E-Group. Such groups constitute the oldest manifestation of monumental architecture in the Maya Lowlands. With time, Structure X was converted into a large pyramidal structure in which several burials were situated during the Classic period (ad 250-800), making it an important mausoleum with interments of important elite members of local society. One of these burials (no. 8) was discovered below the floor of the temple building located on top of the pyramid and was a richly equipped tomb. It is most likely the resting place of one of the Nakum kings reigning during the Early-Late Classic transition (c. ad 550-650). This tomb had 11 vessels, including beautiful examples of polychrome Maya ceramics (representing different supernatural beings), many marine materials, five stingray spines and other artefacts. The tomb chamber was also covered by a deposit consisting of several thousand flint flakes that most probably had some symbolic meaning. In this article we discuss ancient Maya burial customs as documented in Structure X and present it in a wider perspective. We also describe similar lithic deposits associated with some of the richest Lowland Maya tombs and present their meaning and symbolism. Resumen Las investigaciones recientes en el centro maya de Nakum (localizado en el Noreste de Guatemala) incluyeron excavaciones intensivas del Edificio X (también conocido como Edificio 104)-uno de los templos piramidales más grandes en este sitio. Los trabajos de investigación demostraron que la primera versión mayor de este edificio consistió en una plataforma de tres terrazas fechada para el período Preclásico Medio (750-300 a.C.), la que formaba parte de un complejo importante de edificaciones al que se denomina como tipo Grupo E. Este tipo de grupos constituyen la manifestación mas antigua de la arquitectura monumental en las Tierras Bajas Mayas. Con el tiempo, el Edificio X fue convertido en una piramide grande, en la cual durante el período Clásico (250-800 d.C.) fueron depositados varios entierros, lo que le convierte en un mausoleo importante que contiene sepulturas de los miembros de la elite local. Uno de estos entierros (No. 8) es una tumba con una rica
Recent investigations at the Maya centre of Nakum (in Guatemala) enabled the study of the evoluti... more Recent investigations at the Maya centre of Nakum (in Guatemala) enabled the study of the evolution of an interesting complex of buildings that started as the so-called E-Group, built during the Preclassic period ( c. 600–300 bc ). It was used for solar observations and rituals commemorating agricultural and calendrical cycles. During the Classic period ( ad 250–800), the major building of the complex (Structure X) was converted into a large pyramidal temple where several burials, including at least one royal tomb, were placed. We were also able to document evidence of mortuary cults conducted by the Maya in the temple building situated above the burials. The architectural conversion documented in Structure X may reflect important religious and social changes: a transformation from the place where the Sun was observed and worshipped to the place where deceased and deified kings were apotheosized as the Sun Deity during the Classic. Thus the Maya transformed Structure X into one of the most sacred loci at Nakum by imbuing it with a complex solar and underworld symbolism and associating it with the cult of deified ancestors.
El Proyecto PNO (Peten Noroccidente) investiga el sitio arqueologico Zapote Bobal entre 2004 y 20... more El Proyecto PNO (Peten Noroccidente) investiga el sitio arqueologico Zapote Bobal entre 2004 y 2006.
The PNO Archaeological Project (Peten North West) investigates the Zapote Bobal archaeological site between 2004 and 2006.
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The PNO Archaeological Project (Peten North West) investigates the Zapote Bobal archaeological site between 2004 and 2006.
The PNO Archaeological Project (Peten North West) investigates the Zapote Bobal archaeological site between 2004 and 2006.