Boundary traits in archaeological settlements of the Bolonchen district, Yucatán, México.

Summary

In the course of surveying a kilometer-wide strip linking the archaeological sites of Labna, Kiuic and Huntichmul, several types of rare feature clusters were recorded that are difficult to interpret. Although some spatial patterns of these "special" features with respect to the local topography were recognized as the survey proceeded, it wasn’t until the sample of 10 km2 was completed and analyzed using GIS "least cost routes" that we were able to offer a more thorough interpretation of their functionality.

The importance of these elements is that they represent markers of settlement limits created by their ancient inhabitants, so they can lead us to interpretations about how built space was emically conceived and organized. These boundary elements seem to be related to the custody of borders, and the control of people and goods moving through the roads, although most probably they may also convey ideological meanings.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)   •
• The Bolonchén Regional Archaeological Project: Sixteen Years of Investigating Maya Society in the Eastern Puuc Region from the Preclassic through the Historical Period

Keywords

Spatial Coverage