The Central Maya Highlands during the Postclassic: a marginal region on the eve of the Spanish conquest?

Summary

Compared to its Guatemala counterpart, the region of the Chiapas highlands is known to have a marginal history in the Postclassic period. This misrepresentation is due to limited investigations since the 1960´s and to inexistent ethnohistoric sources, which could provide clues for the interpretation of ethnic and settlement patterns on the eve of the Conquest. However, Spanish documents described "cacicazgos" as Chamula and Zinacantan near Jobel Valley, which is the focal point of our study. Complex colonial reorganization in the region, in addition to a delicate current social and political context, make archaeological ruins survey difficult. However, ceramic analysis from two sites and archival studies allow us to strengthen, and provide results which contrast with the previous prehispanic model for this cultural area, giving rise to interesting discussions and perspectives abroad about interactions at a regional level.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 82nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC (2017)   •
• Maya Highland and Pacific Coast Archaeology: New Data, Debates, and Directions, Part 2

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 15482