Problems in the study of ancient Maya settlement and social organization : insights from the Minor Centre of Zubin, Cayo District, Belize
For over a century archaeologists have attempted to formulate a realistic model for ancient Maya social organisation. A review of the current literature indicates that, although significant progress has been made towards achieving this goal, fundamental methodological and theoretical weaknesses remain. The most detrimental shortcomings can be summarised as follows: (1) settlement pattern studies in the Maya area have tended to focus too much on the polar extremes of the settlement continuum, and thus have not produced adequate data representative of all levels of the settlement hierarchy; (2) the limited nature of excavations, apart from those conducted in the larger centres, has hindered our ability to compare material culture assemblages from the various settlement levels; (3) these restricted excavations have also failed to furnish us with a comprehensive diachronic perspective, something which is required for an understanding of social relationships; (4) Mayanists have often employed interpretative schemes and associated terms in an uncritical fashion. As a result of these weaknesses, our reconstructions of ancient Maya social organisation often slight the archaeological data in favour of the more inclusive
Iannone, Gyles John
Archaeology
Problems in the study of ancient Maya settlement and social organization : insights from the Minor Centre of Zubin, Cayo District, Belize. For over a century archaeologists have attempted to formulate a realistic model for ancient Maya social organisation. A review of the current literature indicates that, although significant progress has been made towards achieving this goal, fundamental methodological and theoretical weaknesses remain. The most detrimental shortcomings can be summarised as follows: (1) settlement pattern studies in the Maya area have tended to focus too much on the polar extremes of the settlement continuum, and thus have not produced adequate data representative of all levels of the settlement hierarchy; (2) the limited nature of excavations, apart from those conducted in the larger centres, has hindered our ability to compare material culture assemblages from the various settlement levels; (3) these restricted excavations have also failed to furnish us with a comprehensive diachronic perspective, something which is required for an understanding of social relationships; (4) Mayanists have often employed interpretative schemes and associated terms in an uncritical fashion. As a result of these weaknesses, our reconstructions of ancient Maya social organisation often slight the archaeological data in favour of the more inclusive
problems study ancient_maya settlement social_organization insight minor centre district belize century archaeologist attempt formulate realistic model ancient_maya social_organisation review_current literature indicate although significant progress_make towards achieve_goal fundamental methodological_theoretical weakness remain detrimental shortcoming summarise follow settlement_pattern study maya area tend_focus much polar extreme settlement continuum thus produce adequate data representative level settlement hierarchy limit nature excavation apart conduct large centre hinder ability compare material_culture assemblages various settlement level restrict excavation also fail furnish comprehensive diachronic_perspective something require social_relationship often_employ interpretative scheme associate term uncritical fashion weakness reconstruction_ancient maya social_organisation often slight archaeological_data favour inclusive