Creating a Case for a Classic Period Provincial Polity at Pacbitun, Belize

Summary

The Late Classic period (AD 550 – 800) at Pacbitun, Belize brought about heightened prosperity evinced in a surge of architectural development and an increase in precious exotic materials. However, despite continued growth, by the close of the Late Classic Pacbitun’s affluence appears to have diminished considerably. To the north, settlements of the Belize River Valley also seemingly undergo a concomitant florescence and economic decline. Research suggests the pecuniary instability of the Belize Valley was the result of a semiautonomous existence where interactions with neighboring dominant centers led to episodic subjugation. Thus, an early Late Classic reprieve is thought to have led to a period of independence in the Belize Valley giving rise to florescence. At Pacbitun however, alterations to the site’s social, economic, and political institutions may actually support a foreign influence. After reviewing the different incorporation strategies used by paramount centers to control smaller polities, I will detail the Late Classic events at Pacbitun and explain how each institution was effected. Aside from the introduction and intensification of craft and agricultural production, it is my belief that the physical and functional modifications to the site’s E Group may be the key to substantiating Pacbitun as provincial polity.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 20571