Ceramics and Social Process at Holtun, Guatemala

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Holtun: Investigations at a Preclassic Maya Center" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

In this paper we present data from 13 years of pottery research at the Maya site of Holtun, Guatemala. Using results from type: variety classification, attribute studies of paste and form, and chemical composition analysis we outline the sequence at Holtun and relate it to important events in the history of the site and region. Beginning with the site’s founding in the early Middle Preclassic period we identify signs of incipient specialization of Mamom sphere wares, as well as long-distance exchange of Mars Orange Paste Ware. This robust ceramic economy flourishes in the Late and Terminal Preclassic periods, but abruptly ceases when the site experiences a collapse in the Early Classic period. The collapse does not last, and the ceramic economy experiences a second and final florescence in the Late Classic period marked by types and forms of the Tepeu sphere made from local, yet distinct, paste recipes in comparison to the Preclassic period. We conclude that the pottery sequence at Holtun reflects important local innovation of regional trends, as well as engagement and estrangement from interregional sociopolitical processes.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Holtun: Investigations at a Preclassic Maya Center   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 39451.0