Bioarchaeology of the Coastal Maya

Summary

This is an abstract from the "The Maritime Maya: Current Archaeology of Coastal Yucatan, Mexico, and Belize" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

This paper reviews previously published skeletal studies from coastal sites in Mexico and Belize, focusing on diet, health, population structure, and preliminary genetic data. Bioarchaeological research in these regions has provided unique insights into the biocultural adaptations of the Maya to coastal environments. It has also allowed for the reevaluation of existing models of Classic period social hierarchies and the nature of the Postclassic transition. The strategic access to marine resources and involvement in long-distance trade brought wealth to these comparatively small communities and may have granted them a degree of independence from the tumultuous dynastic politics of inland urban centers. Proximity to the ocean and flexible economic strategies appear to have bolstered the resilience of many coastal communities, allowing them to thrive during the Postclassic period. While much of the current understanding of coastal Maya biology is based on the small Classic period site of Xcambó—which offers a relatively large number of skeletons and a diverse range of analyses—research from other coastal sites expands our knowledge of the biocultural adaptations among ancient Maya groups.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 90th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2025)   •
• The Maritime Maya: Current Archaeology of Coastal Yucatan, Mexico, and Belize

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 50289