Lithic Debitage, Thermal Damage, and Other Signs of Conflict

Author(s): Joshua Kwoka

Year: 2023

Summary

This is an abstract from the "La Cuernavilla, Guatemala: A Maya Fortress and Its Environs" session, at the 88th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

While fortifications speak to the potential for conflict, indicators of actual warfare are difficult to discern. The ancient Maya produced few lithic implements that were strictly martial in nature. Furthermore, evidence of destruction events, such as large-scale fires, preserve poorly in tropical environments. However, recent research conducted at La Cuernavilla indicates that lithic artifacts can provide valuable information concerning large-scale fires. This paper discusses the significance of thermal damage present on lithic debitage, as well as other signs of conflict.

Cite this Record

Lithic Debitage, Thermal Damage, and Other Signs of Conflict. Joshua Kwoka. Presented at The 88th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology. 2023 ( tDAR id: 474007)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

min long: -107.271; min lat: 12.383 ; max long: -86.353; max lat: 23.08 ;

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 37619.0