Pre-Classic Maya Flashcards

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.