Identifying Late Classic Political, Economic, and Cultural Affiliations at Pacbitun, Belize

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Making and Breaking Boundaries in the Maya Lowlands: Alliance and Conflict across the Guatemala–Belize Border" session, at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

For the ancient Maya of Pacbitun, the onset of the Late Classic period (AD 550-800) signifies a time of exponential site growth and heightened prosperity. While this florescence is evident in the archaeological record, recent studies have begun to demonstrate that this affluence was accompanied by significant political, economic, and sociocultural change. Situated beyond the southern boundary of the Belize River Valley, Pacbitun culturally identifies with this region but likely enjoyed a significant amount of political autonomy. However, caught between the Late Classic combatant kingdoms of Naranjo and Caracol, Pacbitun and the sites of the Belize Valley would have been subject to incorporation and/or subordination. Interestingly, recent investigations of Plaza A and the residential courtyards at Pacbitun not only indicate an intensified relationship with the Belize Valley during the Late Classic period but may also allude to affiliations with one of the aforementioned kingdoms. Moreover, an analysis of skeletal remains and associated grave furniture seemingly implies an even broader influential sphere at this time. Through an examination of ideological alterations to ritual and mortuary practices and an assessment of foreign trade goods from distant sources, the authors attempt to interpret political affiliations and autonomy at the site of Pacbitun.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 84th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, NM (2019)   •
• Making and Breaking Boundaries in the Maya Lowlands: Alliance and Conflict across the Guatemala–Belize Border

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 25402