Emblems of Authority: A Comparison of Preclassic and Classic Maya Inscribed Jade Adornment

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2021: General Sessions" session, at the 86th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

In antiquity, the use of prestige objects and adornment made of jade was a key aspect of Maya elite life which carried over from the Preclassic to the Classic period. The establishment of jade indicating high social status has shown to have begun in Mesoamerica with the Olmec, however the scope of this dissertation will focus only on the 1,800-year span of time represented by the artifacts being studied; roughly 1000 BCE to 800 CE of the Gregorian calendar. Among these prestigious jade objects, there are some inscribed with hieroglyphic writing which can, despite many of the glyphs remaining undeciphered, be of use to understanding aspects of royal life in the Maya world. While exact provenience and dating cannot always be calculated for every inscribed jade artifact, estimates provide enough context by which to compare them. These inscribed jade objects of adornment will be the focus of this dissertation and their forms, archaeological context, and glyphic messages will function as lenses by which I compare the usage of prestige material culture across the Maya elite from the Preclassic and Classic periods of the ancient Maya civilization.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 86th Annual Meeting, Online (2021)   •
• SAA 2021: General Sessions

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Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 32020