Questions and Answers
What is a primary center in the Maya Highlands in the Middle Pre-Classic?
What do we see in regards to burial patterns?
Elite burials with offerings buried with the body, showing class stratification.
When are the Maya Lowlands inhabited, and why does it take so long?
Last area to be occupied due to the harsh jungle.
What is significant about Cunil ceramics?
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What aspect of the hard nucleus does the site at Cuello, Belize embody?
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What is a notable material used for building foundations at Cuello?
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How many people could Cuello accommodate?
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What are the two primary sites in El Mirador Basin?
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What are bajos?
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How did the bajos change over time?
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What is a notable building type in Nakbe?
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What are E-groups?
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What is the Cival cache?
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What is Structure A-20 and Plaza at Ceibal?
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What is the Ajaw structure at Ceibal?
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What is Structure 24 and the Sulul platform at Ceibal?
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Where do these events fall in the grand timeline?
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What is notable about KJ in the highlands in the Late Pre-Classic?
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What is one reason KJ is so powerful?
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By which natural body was KJ situated?
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What happened to KJ when the lake disappeared?
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What do we regularly see depicted in monumental art at KJ?
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What other signs of early rulership are there at KJ?
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What is Mound E-III-3?
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What is associated with the Chicanel Phase in the Maya Lowlands?
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What is notable about the size of structures in the Maya Lowlands during the Late Pre-Classic?
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What is Tikal's Mundo Perdido?
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What is a notable feature of El Mirador in the Late Pre-Classic?
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Study Notes
Maya Highlands and Pre-Classic Centers
- Kaminalju (KJ) was a primary center in the Maya Highlands during the Middle Pre-Classic period (1500 BC - 1200 AD).
- Most of Kaminalju's site is now covered by a modern Guatemalan city.
Burial Practices and Class Stratification
- Elite burials with offerings were prevalent around 800 BC, indicating emerging class stratification in Maya society.
Maya Lowlands Inhabitation
- The Maya Lowlands were the last area to become inhabited due to harsh jungle conditions, despite offering diverse resources.
Cunil Ceramics
- Cunil ceramics featured a dull, red-black design, distinct yet similar to the Olmec, suggesting a complex economy and class inequality.
Cuello, Belize Site Layout
- Cuello exemplifies early Maya planning with a layout of four homes around a central patio, reflecting the hard nucleus concept.
Building Materials
- Plaster was a commonly used material for constructing foundations in Cuello.
Population Capacity of Cuello
- Cuello could accommodate around 500 individuals.
Key Sites in El Mirador Basin
- El Mirador and Nakbe are the two primary archaeological sites in the El Mirador Basin.
Definition of bajos
- "Bajos" are seasonal lowland swamps that fill with water during rainy seasons.
Changes in bajos Over Time
- Initially, bajos were perennial wetlands conducive to water-loving plant life like lilies and cat-tail reeds.
E-Groups in Nakbe
- Notable structures called E-groups feature a large pyramid aligned with a long built structure for solar observation during events like solstices and equinoxes.
Cival Cache
- Significant offerings found buried in a four-cornered pattern, including water jugs and jade, symbolizing a connection to maize and worldmaking.
Structure A-20 and Plaza at Ceibal
- An early E-group from 1000 BC featuring a small jade "cornfield" was discovered here.
Ajaw Structure at Ceibal
- A representation of the Maya's architectural evolution, showcasing expansion upon previous designs.
Structure 24 and Sulul Platform at Ceibal
- Sulul platforms served as foundational bases for residential structures at Ceibal.
Grand Timeline Context
- Events occurred between the dominance of San Lorenzo and La Venta, marking a developmental "gap period" for the Maya.
Late Pre-Classic Significance of KJ
- Kaminalju reached its apex during the Late Pre-Classic, signifying its power and importance.
El Chayal Obsidian Source
- KJ's control over the vital El Chayal obsidian source contributed significantly to its power.
Geographic Features
- Kaminalju was located near Lake Miraflores.
Decline of KJ
- The disappearance of Lake Miraflores around AD 100 led to KJ's decline.
Monumental Art at KJ
- Monumental art at Kaminalju frequently depicted the Principal Bird Deity, symbolizing early rulership.
Evidence of Early Rulership
- Mound E-III-3 is a key site indicating early social hierarchy and rulership at KJ.
Mound E-III-3 Details
- This massive royal tomb featured a central king figure surrounded by skeletons and obsidian blades, indicating practices of human sacrifice.
Chicanel Phase Characteristics
- The Chicanel Phase in the Maya Lowlands is characterized by waxy, monochrome ceramics with no class distinction among households.
Structure Size in Late Pre-Classic
- Structures in the Maya Lowlands, such as Mundo Perdido and Lamanai, were notably massive during this period.
Tikal's Mundo Perdido
- Mundo Perdido at Tikal featured a significant observation pyramid with a base of 60x60 meters.
El Mirador's Unique Features
- El Mirador was known for ancient Aztec roads that traversed its wetlands, confirming its status as a major city in the Late Pre-Classic.
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Description
Explore key concepts of the Pre-Classic Maya period through these flashcards. Learn about significant centers, burial patterns, and the societal structures of the Maya Highlands from 1500 BC to 1200 AD. Perfect for students and enthusiasts of Mesoamerican history.