Roberto Valcárcel Rojas
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- September 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780813061566
- eISBN:
- 9780813051499
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Florida
- DOI:
- 10.5744/florida/9780813061566.003.0006
- Subject:
- Archaeology, Historical Archaeology
Chapter 6 discusses the new studies of human remains located in the site cemetery. The osteological investigation established the presence of 133 individuals. There is a low incidence of pathologies, ...
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Chapter 6 discusses the new studies of human remains located in the site cemetery. The osteological investigation established the presence of 133 individuals. There is a low incidence of pathologies, and in terms of ancestors one individual was distinguished as being of African origin and three others that could be mestizos. The majority exhibit cranial modification, although this was found to be absent in a significant number of juveniles. The analysis of Strontium, Carbon, and Oxygen isotope ratios indicate that the major part of the population is of local origin, although there are also individuals from elsewhere in the Caribbean, and from more remote areas like Africa and possibly the Yucatán. The taphonomic analysis show the predominence of primary articulated burials, although there are also secondary burials and cases of the management or movement of bones and remains possibly associated with a situation of rapid burial. The latter coincide with demographic indicators that point to a cemetery where the interred population probably was affected by epidemic diseases. All of the radiocarbon dates for the remains are after the arrival of the Spanish.Less
Chapter 6 discusses the new studies of human remains located in the site cemetery. The osteological investigation established the presence of 133 individuals. There is a low incidence of pathologies, and in terms of ancestors one individual was distinguished as being of African origin and three others that could be mestizos. The majority exhibit cranial modification, although this was found to be absent in a significant number of juveniles. The analysis of Strontium, Carbon, and Oxygen isotope ratios indicate that the major part of the population is of local origin, although there are also individuals from elsewhere in the Caribbean, and from more remote areas like Africa and possibly the Yucatán. The taphonomic analysis show the predominence of primary articulated burials, although there are also secondary burials and cases of the management or movement of bones and remains possibly associated with a situation of rapid burial. The latter coincide with demographic indicators that point to a cemetery where the interred population probably was affected by epidemic diseases. All of the radiocarbon dates for the remains are after the arrival of the Spanish.
Andrew K. Scherer, Charles Golden, and Stephen houston
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- May 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780813056005
- eISBN:
- 9780813053783
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University Press of Florida
- DOI:
- 10.5744/florida/9780813056005.003.0007
- Subject:
- Archaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology
This chapter explores ancient Maya understandings of identity, belonging, how they defined themselves, and how they contrasted that against people who they perceived as foreign or “other.” The essay ...
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This chapter explores ancient Maya understandings of identity, belonging, how they defined themselves, and how they contrasted that against people who they perceived as foreign or “other.” The essay begins with a brief overview of concepts of otherness evident in the ethnographic literature. It then juxtaposes modern concepts of the foreign with those at the time of the conquest in order to consider what understandings of otherness have deep roots in Maya worldview. This essay then turns to discourses on otherness and foreigners as apparent in the iconography of the Classic period (AD 250–900). This discussion is further complemented by consideration of evidence for shared group practices as materialized in ceramic styles, mortuary patterns, cranial modification, and art and architectural styles. The chapter concludes with a discussion of depiction of foreigners in Classic period art.Less
This chapter explores ancient Maya understandings of identity, belonging, how they defined themselves, and how they contrasted that against people who they perceived as foreign or “other.” The essay begins with a brief overview of concepts of otherness evident in the ethnographic literature. It then juxtaposes modern concepts of the foreign with those at the time of the conquest in order to consider what understandings of otherness have deep roots in Maya worldview. This essay then turns to discourses on otherness and foreigners as apparent in the iconography of the Classic period (AD 250–900). This discussion is further complemented by consideration of evidence for shared group practices as materialized in ceramic styles, mortuary patterns, cranial modification, and art and architectural styles. The chapter concludes with a discussion of depiction of foreigners in Classic period art.
