Maya Palaces at Aguateca and Ceibal, Guatemala

Summary

Royal palaces at the medium-sized centers of Aguateca and Ceibal appear to represent a basic template for the spatial and functional configurations of Maya palaces. They exhibit simple square forms resembling smaller residential groups of lower status, indicating their primary function as residential complexes of the royal families. Administrative and ceremonial functions were likely merged with domestic ones. These palaces also provide information on the degree of spatial mobility. While the Maya were generally attached to fixed residential localities, they allowed a certain level of residential mobility. The royal palaces of these dynasties moved through their history, depending on administrative and strategic needs and the idiosyncrasies of individual rulers.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Seats of Power: Functional Sectors in Mesoamerican Palaces

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 12128