The Classic Maya polity : an epigraphic approach to reconstructing a Pre-Hispanic political system
This thesis presents a model of the Classic Maya polity using evidence from monumental inscriptions produced between about 200 and 900 CE. There have been many interpretations of the structure and operation of Classic Maya political units over the past century, with a polarised debate over their scale and degree of centralization that continues to the present day. Using new readings provided by an unfolding hieroglyphic decipherment, combined with fresh comparative and theoretical approaches, this study seeks to resolve these long-standing questions and lay the groundwork for a political anthropology of the region. It critiques an enduring emphasis on the form of political communities at the expense of how they interacted within a regional system, arguing that neither polity nor system can be understood independently since each determines the other as part of a recursive whole. The assembled evidence points strongly to a hegemonic mode of interaction between numerous Classic Maya polities, but the project goes beyond the description of such an order to analyze how it functioned and reproduced itself over time. It seeks to answer the core question of a multi-polity system, which is why did such an environment
Martin, S.
The Classic Maya polity : an epigraphic approach to reconstructing a Pre-Hispanic political system. This thesis presents a model of the Classic Maya polity using evidence from monumental inscriptions produced between about 200 and 900 CE. There have been many interpretations of the structure and operation of Classic Maya political units over the past century, with a polarised debate over their scale and degree of centralization that continues to the present day. Using new readings provided by an unfolding hieroglyphic decipherment, combined with fresh comparative and theoretical approaches, this study seeks to resolve these long-standing questions and lay the groundwork for a political anthropology of the region. It critiques an enduring emphasis on the form of political communities at the expense of how they interacted within a regional system, arguing that neither polity nor system can be understood independently since each determines the other as part of a recursive whole. The assembled evidence points strongly to a hegemonic mode of interaction between numerous Classic Maya polities, but the project goes beyond the description of such an order to analyze how it functioned and reproduced itself over time. It seeks to answer the core question of a multi-polity system, which is why did such an environment
classic maya polity epigraphic reconstruct pre political_system present model classic maya polity use evidence monumental inscription produce many interpretation structure operation classic maya political unit debate scale degree centralization continue using new reading provide unfolding hieroglyphic decipherment combine fresh comparative theoretical_approach study_seek resolve long_standing question lay groundwork political anthropology region critique endure emphasis form political_community expense interact within regional system argue_neither polity system understand independently since determines part recursive whole assemble evidence point strongly hegemonic mode interaction numerous classic maya polity project beyond description order analyze function time seek_answer core question multi polity system environment