Ports, Trails, and Waterways: Trade and Economy in the Ancient Maya World

The role and importance of ports in the ancient Maya world has long been an object of study. However, for decades the principal focus was the nature and role of Caribbean and Gulf ports, particularly during the Terminal Classic and Postclassic periods. Recent investigations indicate a critical role for inland river and lake ports in the integration of Maya economies as well. In addition, current evidence demonstrates the significance of ports in exchange systems in Preclassic and Classic period economies. The importance of river and sea ports and transport routes can be seen in the historical patterns of war and alliance – in which ports and their routes were principal targets for conquest and alliances. This session brings together researchers from North America and Latin America to share results of investigations of Maya ports from coasts and rivers, and from all periods. The participants explore and evaluate the nature and dynamics of ports as critical nodes in ancient Maya political economy. Those dynamics were central to the Classic period apogee, were critical in the “collapse” and/or Terminal Classic transition, and were a dominant characteristic of the Postclassic recovery and florescence.