The Presence of Maya Aquatic Imagery at Teotihuacan

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 89th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Previous studies have illustrated the continuing relationship between the Maya area and the Basin of Mexico, especially with the presence of Maya iconography at the site of Teotihuacan. Maya imagery can be seen in diverse cultural materials such as ceramics and stucco-painted murals. For example, researchers have argued that the stucco-painted murals at the Atetelco apartment compound at Teotihuacan have strong connections to the Maya sites of Tikal and Copan. However, previous studies have not focused on the presence of Maya aquatic iconography found within Atetelco’s murals. Therefore, my study analyses the iconography in Atetelco’s stucco murals and suggests that Maya water bands appear but in Teotihuacan style. Maya water bands are seen combined and intertwined with Teotihuacan imagery that is strongly associated with water, such as the reticulated jaguar as well as with the Teotihuacan Tlaloc. In addition, I will highlight other Maya aquatic iconography, such as the Maya water serpent and the Maya water lily both presented in a Teotihuacan style. This new style of Maya aquatic iconography blended in a Teotihuacan style at the great metropolis could reflect the political atmosphere in the apartment compounds during the Early Classic Period.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2024: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 89th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (2024)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 40344.0