Materializing the Maya Collapse and Shifting Alliances during the Ninth and Tenth Centuries: Circular Shrines and Other “Mexicanized” Traits in Belize and Beyond

Summary

This is an abstract from the "The Movement of People and Ideas in Eastern Mesoamerica during the Ninth and Tenth Centuries CE: A Multidisciplinary Approach Part I" session, at the 88th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Across the Maya Lowlands, circular shrines have been reported that resemble smaller versions of the Caracol building at Chichen Itza. According to Ringle and colleagues (1998), Chichen Itza was one of many centers in a shrine network extending along the Gulf and Caribbean coasts between AD 700 and 950. Circular shrines are cited as one of a number of “Mexicanized” traits marking a religious cult centered on the feathered serpent deity, which spread aggressively through militarism across a broad area of Mesoamerica. Similarly, Thompson (1970) and others posit the spread of Mexicanized traits via Chontal-speaking Maya warrior-merchants migrating from the Gulf Coast. In recent years, more archaeological data has been found that allows for further cross-examination of these models. Here I present finds of circular architecture, along with other Mexicanized traits from sites in Belize and beyond. The influx of these traits points to greater emphasis on the consolidation of alliances with the Gulf and northern Yucatán but also coincides with widespread site termination marking the collapse of many large Classic Maya city-centers. I suggest this conflict and overthrow was accompanied by the formation of new dynasties in the Maya Lowlands that involved small-scale migration and intermarriage with Mexicanized “foreigners.”

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• The Movement of People and Ideas in Eastern Mesoamerica during the Ninth and Tenth Centuries CE: A Multidisciplinary Approach Part I   •
• Society for American Archaeology 88th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR (2023)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 37533.0